bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients in Rehabilitation with Hip Fracture: A Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Anders Erica , Laskey Wendy , Milne-Gibson Catherine , Pynenburg Brendan , Wong Chelsea , Berall Anna , Jones Nancy , Mendelson Debbie , Jaglal Susan
Published: July 2018

Deux voies de réadaptation sont utilisées dans les cas de fractures de la hanche : la voie de courte durée avec tolérance élevée (CDTÉ) et celle de longue durée avec basse tolérance (LDBT). Cette étude a examiné les caractéristiques et les résultats de patients en CDTÉ et LDBT qui étaient associés avec la durée du séjour à l’hôpital (DSH) et la destination après le congé de l’hôpital (DC). Un examen rétrospectif des dossiers médicaux des patients opérés pour une fracture de la hanche a été réalisé après leur chirurgie. Les données démographiques, fonctionnelles et liées à la santé de ces patients ont été collectées. Des analyses statistiques ont été effectuées afin d’évaluer les différences entre les caractéristiques des patients en CDTÉ (n =73) et en LDBT (n =57), et leurs liens avec leur DSH et DC. Les patients en LDBT étaient plus âgés et leur niveau d’autonomie pré-fracture pour le bain et les activités instrumentales de la vie quotidienne était plus faible. Les résultats de ces patients pour la Mesure de l’indépendance fonctionnelle (MIF) à l’admission étaient aussi plus faibles, et leur taux de comorbidités, plus élevé. Des scores MIF plus élevés à l’admission pour les patients en CDTÉ et une évolution plus marquée des scores MIF pour les patients LDBT étaient associés à la destination « maison » après le congé de l’hôpital. Le taux de diabète chez les patients en LDBT et un score MIF plus faible étaient liés à une DSH plus longue.
Yellow-naped AmazonAmazona auropalliatapopulations are markedly low and rapidly declining in Costa Rica and Nicaragua
Authors: WRIGHT TIMOTHY F. , LEWIS THOMAS C. , LEZAMA-LÓPEZ MARTÍN , SMITH-VIDAURRE GRACE , DAHLIN CHRISTINE R.
Published: July 2018

Accurate assessments of population sizes and trends are fundamental for effective species conservation, particularly for social and long-lived species in which low reproductive rates, aging demographic structure and Allee effects could interact to drive rapid population declines. In the parrots (Order Psittaciformes) these life history characteristics have combined with habitat loss and capture for the pet trade to lead to widespread endangerment, with over 40% of species classified under some level of threat. Here we report the results of a population survey of one such species, the Yellow-naped Amazon,Amazona auropalliata, that is classified as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List. We conducted a comprehensive survey in June and July of 2016 of 44 night roosts of the populations in contiguous Pacific lowlands of northern Costa Rica and southern Nicaragua and compared numbers in Costa Rica to those found in a similar survey conducted in June 2005. In 2016 we counted 990 birds across 25 sites surveyed in Costa Rica and 692 birds across 19 sites surveyed in Nicaragua for a total population estimate of only 1,682 birds. Comparisons of 13 sites surveyed in both 2005 and 2016 in Costa Rica showed a strong and statistically significant decline in population numbers over the 11-year period. Assessment of group sizes approaching or leaving roosts indicated that less than 25% of groups consisted of three or more birds; there was a significantly higher proportion of these putative family groups observed in Nicaragua than Costa Rica. Taken together, these results are cause for substantial concern for the health of this species in a region that has previously been considered its stronghold, and suggest that stronger conservation action should be undertaken to protect remaining populations from capture for the pet trade and loss of key habitat.
The Acceptability, Feasibility and Potential Outcomes of an Individual Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Hearing Voices
Authors: Louise Stephanie , Rossell Susan L. , Thomas Neil
Published: July 2018

Background:A prominent area of advancement in the psychological treatment for people with persisting psychosis has been the application of mindfulness-based therapies. Recent literature has recommended the investigation of focused mindfulness interventions for voices (auditory hallucinations) as a specific experience. To date, only mindfulness programs in group format have been examined.Aims:This non-randomized pilot study aimed to assess the acceptability, feasibility and potential outcomes of an individual mindfulness program for persistent voices on the negative impact of voices on the subjective experience of mental health and wellbeing, depression and voice-related distress and disruption. Also, it aimed to identify potential psychological and neurocognitive mechanisms of change.Method:A new 4-week individual Mindfulness Program for Voices (iMPV) was developed, and piloted with a group of 14 participants with a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder and persisting voices. Participants completed clinical and neurocognitive measures pre- and post-intervention and at 2-month follow-up.Results:Results revealed low attrition rates, high formal practice engagement levels and positive participant feedback. Pre–post outcomes suggested small to moderate effects for a reduction in the negative impact of voices on experience, depression and disruption. Large effects for changes in mindful responding and attentional switching were also identified.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that this novel treatment protocol is appropriate, engaging and safe for persistent voice hearers. Findings for mindful responding and attentional switching suggest these to be potential mechanisms of change for further investigation. Further RCTs are warranted to ascertain the feasibility and efficacy for focused mindfulness interventions for voices of individual format.
An improved competence rating scale for CBT Supervision: Short-SAGE
Authors: Reiser Robert P. , Cliffe Tom , Milne Derek L.
Published: July 2018

Recent developments have led the UK government to deem clinical supervision ‘essential’ to a safe and effective national health service. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) supervision has been increasingly operationalized and manualized, but there are few psychometrically sound observational instruments with which to measure CBT supervision. This paper reports the factor analysis of a promising 23-item instrument for observing competence in CBT supervision (Supervision: Adherence and Guidance Evaluation: SAGE).N=115 qualified mental health practitioners (supervisors and their supervisees) rated the same supervision session by completing SAGE. A principal components analysis indicated that a two-factor solution, identified as the ‘Supervision Cycle’ and the ‘Supervisee Cycle’ components, accounted for 52.8% of the scale variance and also demonstrated high internal reliability (α = .91 and α = .81, respectively). These findings provide the basis for a shorter, 14-item version of SAGE, clarify the factor structure of SAGE, ease implementation, and afford more succinct feedback. Short-SAGE also improves implementation yield, taking half the time to complete as the original 23-item scale. These conceptual and practical improvements strengthen the role of SAGE as a promising observational instrument for evaluating CBT supervision, complementing self-report assessments of competent CBT supervision with an instrument that can fulfil the distinctive functions that are provided through direct observation.
Keeping metaphor in mind: training therapists in metaphor-enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy
Authors: Mathieson Fiona , Jordan Jennifer , Bennett-Levy James , Stubbe Maria
Published: July 2018

Over the last decade, there has been increasing interest in the use of metaphor in cognitive behaviour therapy. However, to date, there has been only very limited research on the use of metaphor in CBT sessions, and no studies which have examined how to train therapists in this skill. The present study is the first in the literature to explore how we might train therapists in metaphor-enhanced CBT. Twelve therapists attended two half-day training workshops, 2 weeks apart. Details of the content of the training workshop are provided. The therapists rated the workshop quality and provided structured self-report ratings and reflections on their ongoing application of learning over a 3-month period which were compared with pre-training ratings. Therapists reported significantly increased awareness of metaphors, with increased confidence in responding intentionally to client metaphors and bringing them into shared conceptualizations. In addition, there were significant increases in reported time spent elaborating on client metaphors, and use of metaphors when conceptualizing with clients. Barriers and solutions to application of learning are discussed.
Contexts and Temporalities in Andrew Abbott's Processual Sociology
Authors: Jouvenet Morgan
Published: July 2018

Since the 1970s, Andrew Abbott has promoted an original and ambitious project for the social sciences. In particular, he has argued for the development of a “processual sociology” based on precepts first articulated by the Chicago tradition of sociology and in his view somewhat forgotten. Against functionalism, against the “variables paradigm,” he has emphasized the Chicago tradition's focus on patterns of interaction and their contexts, and has deepened our analysis of the local and ever-particular dimensions of social entities by considering their inscription in successive sequences. As well as seeking to formalize these sequences, this vision aims to link processes playing out at different rhythms and levels. As a project it is based on a conception of social life as a “world of events,” where “change is the normal nature of things” and “not something that happens occasionally to stable social actors.” This makes it possible to explain the emergence and durability of social entities (for example, professions and disciplines) in the flow of events. The originality of this approach consists in founding a new institutionalist analysis of social realities on this ontology of perpetual movement.

Marked by American pragmatism but also traversed by the question of order and social structures, Abbott's oeuvre offers an original approach to the diversity of contexts and temporalities in processes that, through the intermingling of various “lineages,” constitute social traditions and entities. This article presents Abbott's contextualist theses and the intellectual background against which they emerged. It also considers the place that the processual approach accords to contingency and personhood, factors that enable Abbot to work toward a synthesis of history and sociology.
Environmental radiation alters the gut microbiome of the bank vole Myodes glareolus
Authors: Lavrinienko Anton , Mappes Tapio , Tukalenko Eugene , Mousseau Timothy A , Møller Anders P , Knight Rob , Morton James T , Thompson Luke R , Watts Phillip C
Published: July 2018

Gut microbiota composition depends on many factors, although the impact of environmental pollution is largely unknown. We used amplicon sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes to quantify whether anthropogenic radionuclides at Chernobyl (Ukraine) impact the gut microbiome of the bank vole Myodes glareolus. Exposure to elevated levels of environmental radionuclides had no detectable effect on the gut community richness but was associated with an almost two-fold increase in the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio. Animals inhabiting uncontaminated areas had remarkably similar gut communities irrespective of their proximity to the nuclear power plant. Hence, samples could be classified to high-radiation or low-radiation sites based solely on microbial community with >90% accuracy. Radiation-associated bacteria had distinct inferred functional profiles, including pathways involved in degradation, assimilation and transport of carbohydrates, xenobiotics biodegradation, and DNA repair. Our results suggest that exposure to environmental radionuclides significantly alters vertebrate gut microbiota.
Single-cell trajectory analysis of human homogenous neurons carrying a rare RELN variant
Authors: Arioka Yuko , Shishido Emiko , Kubo Hisako , Kushima Itaru , Yoshimi Akira , Kimura Hiroki , Ishizuka Kanako , Aleksic Branko , Maeda Takuji , Ishikawa Mitsuru , Kuzumaki Naoko , Okano Hideyuki , Mori Daisuke , Ozaki Norio
Published: July 2018

Reelin is a protein encoded by the RELN gene that controls neuronal migration in the developing brain. Human genetic studies suggest that rare RELN variants confer susceptibility to mental disorders such as schizophrenia. However, it remains unknown what effects rare RELN variants have on human neuronal cells. To this end, the analysis of human neuronal dynamics at the single-cell level is necessary. In this study, we generated human-induced pluripotent stem cells carrying a rare RELN variant (RELN-del) using targeted genome editing; cells were further differentiated into highly homogeneous dopaminergic neurons. Our results indicated that RELN-del triggered an impaired reelin signal and decreased the expression levels of genes relevant for cell movement in human neurons. Single-cell trajectory analysis revealed that control neurons possessed directional migration even in vitro, while RELN-del neurons demonstrated a wandering type of migration. We further confirmed these phenotypes in neurons derived from a patient carrying the congenital RELN-del. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the biological significance of a rare RELN variant in human neurons based on individual neuron dynamics. Collectively, our approach should be useful for studying reelin function and evaluating mental disorder susceptibility, focusing on individual human neuronal migration.
M2 macrophage-mediated interleukin-4 signalling induces myofibroblast phenotype during the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Sheng Jindong , Yang Yang , Cui Yun , He Shiming , Wang Lu , Liu Libo , He Qun , Lv Tianjing , Han Wenke , Yu Wei , Hu Shuai , Jin Jie
Published: July 2018

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a progressive disease in elderly men, but potential factors accelerating its progression remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to elucidate the factors affecting BPH progression by understanding the complex mechanisms causing early- progressed BPH, which progresses rapidly and requires surgical intervention before the age of 50. Three groups of human prostate tissue samples, from patients with early-progressed BPH, age-matched prostate and elderly BPH tissues, were collected (n = 25 each). We compared these tissues to determine the histologic features and molecular mechanisms underlying BPH progression. We found that early-progressed BPH samples were characterised by aberrant stromal hyper-proliferation, collagen deposition and increased M2 macrophage infiltration, compared to those from age-matched prostate and elderly BPH tissues. The M2 macrophage–fibroblast co-culture system demonstrated that the myofibroblast phenotypes were strongly induced only in fibroblasts from the early-progressed BPH samples, while the co-cultured M2 macrophages expressed high levels of pro-fibrotic cytokines, such as IL4 and TGFβ1. M2 macrophage-derived IL4, but not TGFβ1, selectively induced the myofibroblast phenotype through the JAK/STAT6, PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signalling pathways in the early-progressed BPH prostate fibroblasts. Taken together, our results indicate that induction of the myofibroblast phenotype may lead to BPH progression through M2 macrophage-mediated IL4 signalling, and that IL4 may represent a potential therapeutic target, allowing the prevention of M2 macrophage activation and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation.
ER stress regulating protein phosphatase 2A-B56γ, targeted by hepatitis B virus X protein, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of hepatocytes
Authors: He Chengyong , Qiu Yang , Han Peiyu , Chen Yuanyuan , Zhang Liyin , Yuan Quan , Zhang Tianying , Cheng Tong , Yuan Lunzhi , Huang Chenghao , Zhang Sheng , Yin Zhenyu , Peng Xian-E. , Liang Dong , Lin Xu , Lin Yuchun , Lin Zhongning , Xia Ningshao
Published: July 2018

Hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein contributes to the progression of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatic injury and diseases, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. Protein phosphatase 2 A (PP2A) is a major serine/threonine phosphatase involved in regulating many cellular phosphorylation signals that are important for regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis. Does HBx target to PP2A-B56γ and therefore affect HBx-induced hepatotoxicity? In the present study, the expression of B56γ positively correlated with the level of HBx in HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes in human-liver-chimeric mice, HBx-transgenic mice, HBV-infected cells, and HBx-expressing hepatic cells. B56γ promoted p53/p21-dependent cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Mechanistically, B56γ was transactivated by AP-1, which was under the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced CREBH signaling in HBx-expressing hepatic cells. B56γ dephosphorylated p-Thr55-p53 to trigger p53/p21 pathway-dependent cell cycle G1 phase arrest, resulting in apoptosis of hepatic cells. In conclusion, this study provides a novel insight into a mechanism of B56γ mediating cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of HBx-expressing hepatic cells and a basis for B56γ being a potential therapeutic target for HBV-infected hepatic cells.
Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells direct macrophage polarization to alleviate pancreatic islets dysfunction in type 2 diabetic mice
Authors: Yin Yaqi , Hao Haojie , Cheng Yu , Zang Li , Liu Jiejie , Gao Jieqing , Xue Jing , Xie Zongyan , Zhang Qi , Han Weidong , Mu Yiming
Published: July 2018

Progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction is recognized as a fundamental pathology of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been identified in protection of islets function in T2D individuals. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. It is widely accepted that β-cell dysfunction is closely related to improper accumulation of macrophages in the islets, and a series of reports suggest that MSCs possess great immunomodulatory properties by which they could elicit macrophages into an anti-inflammatory M2 state. In this study, we induced a T2D mouse model with a combination of high-fat diet (HFD) and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ), and then performed human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (hUC-MSCs) infusion to investigate whether the effect of MSCs on islets protection was related to regulation on macrophages in pancreatic islets. hUC-MSCs infusion exerted anti-diabetic effects and significantly promoted islets recovery in T2D mice. Interestingly, pancreatic inflammation was remarkably suppressed, and local M1 macrophages were directed toward an anti-inflammatory M2-like state after hUC-MSC infusion. In vitro study also proved that hUC-MSCs inhibited the activation of the M1 phenotype and induced the generation of the M2 phenotype in isolated mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), peritoneal macrophages (PMs) and in THP-1 cells. Further analysis showed that M1-stimulated hUC-MSCs increased the secretion of interleukin (IL)-6, blocking which by small interfering RNA (siRNA) largely abrogated the hUC-MSCs effects on macrophages both in vitro and in vivo, resulting in dampened restoration of β-cell function and glucose homeostasis in T2D mice. In addition, MCP-1 was found to work in accordance with IL-6 in directing macrophage polarization from M1 to M2 state. These data may provide new clues for searching for the target of β-cell protection. Furthermore, hUC-MSCs may be a superior alternative in treating T2D for their macrophage polarization effects.
CD45+CD33lowCD11bdim myeloid-derived suppressor cells suppress CD8+ T cell activity via the IL-6/IL-8-arginase I axis in human gastric cancer
Authors: Mao Fang-yuan , Zhao Yong-liang , Lv Yi-pin , Teng Yong-sheng , Kong Hui , Liu Yu-gang , Wu Xiao-long , Hao Chuan-jie , Chen Weisan , Duan Mu-bing , Han Bin , Ma Qiang , Wang Ting-ting , Peng Liu-sheng , Zhang Jin-yu , Cheng Ping , Su Chong-yu , Fu Xiao-long , Zou Quan-ming , Guo Gang , Guo Xiao-lan , Zhuang Yuan
Published: July 2018

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a prominent component of the pro-tumoral response. The phenotype of and mechanisms used by MDSCs is heterogeneous and requires more precise characterization in gastric cancer (GC) patients. Here, we have identified a novel subset of CD45+CD33lowCD11bdim MDSCs in the peripheral blood of GC patients compared to healthy individuals. CD45+CD33lowCD11bdim MDSCs morphologically resembled neutrophils and expressed high levels of the neutrophil marker CD66b. Circulating CD45+CD33lowCD11bdim MDSCs effectively suppressed CD8+ T cells activity through the inhibition of CD8+ T cell proliferation and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and granzyme B (GrB) production. The proportion of CD45+CD33lowCD11bdim MDSCs also negatively correlated with the proportion of IFN-γ+CD8+ T cell in the peripheral blood of GC patients. GC patient serum-derived IL-6 and IL-8 activated and induced CD45+CD33lowCD11bdim MDSCs to express arginase I via the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. This pathway contributed to CD8+ T cell suppression as it was partially rescued by the blockade of the IL-6/IL-8-arginase I axis. Peripheral blood CD45+CD33lowCD11bdim MDSCs, as well as IL-6, IL-8, and arginase I serum levels, positively correlated with GC progression and negatively correlated with overall patient survival. Altogether, our results highlight that a subset of neutrophilic CD45+CD33lowCD11bdim MDSCs is functionally immunosuppressive and activated via the IL-6/IL-8-arginase I axis in GC patients.
Dynamic placement of the linker histone H1 associated with nucleosome arrangement and gene transcription in early Drosophila embryonic development
Authors: Hu Jian , Gu Liang , Ye Youqiong , Zheng Meizhu , Xu Zhu , Lin Jing , Du Yanhua , Tian Mengxue , Luo Lifang , Wang Beibei , Zhang Xiaobai , Weng Zhiping , Jiang Cizhong
Published: July 2018

The linker histone H1 is critical to maintenance of higher-order chromatin structures and to gene expression regulation. However, H1 dynamics and its functions in embryonic development remain unresolved. Here, we profiled gene expression, nucleosome positions, and H1 locations in early Drosophila embryos. The results show that H1 binding is positively correlated with the stability of beads-on-a-string nucleosome organization likely through stabilizing nucleosome positioning and maintaining nucleosome spacing. Strikingly, nucleosomes with H1 placement deviating to the left or the right relative to the dyad shift to the left or the right, respectively, during early Drosophila embryonic development. H1 occupancy on genic nucleosomes is inversely correlated with nucleosome distance to the transcription start sites. This inverse correlation reduces as gene transcription levels decrease. Additionally, H1 occupancy is lower at the 5′ border of genic nucleosomes than that at the 3′ border. This asymmetrical pattern of H1 occupancy on genic nucleosomes diminishes as gene transcription levels decrease. These findings shed new lights into how H1 placement dynamics correlates with nucleosome positioning and gene transcription during early Drosophila embryonic development.
Pontin/Tip49 negatively regulates JNK-mediated cell death in Drosophila
Authors: Wang Xingjun , Huang Xirui , Wu Chenxi , Xue Lei
Published: July 2018

Pontin (Pont), also known as Tip49, encodes a member of the AAA+ (ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activities) superfamily and plays pivotal roles in cell proliferation and growth, yet its function in cell death has remained poorly understood. Here we performed a genetic screen for dominant modifiers of Eiger-induced JNK-dependent cell death in Drosophila, and identified Pont as a negative regulator of JNK-mediated cell death. In addition, loss of function of Pont is sufficient to induce cell death and activate the transcription of JNK target gene puc. Furthermore, the epistasis analysis indicates that Pont acts downstream of Hep. Finally, we found that Pont is also required for JNK-mediated thorax development and acts as a negative regulator of JNK phosphorylation. Together, our data suggest that pont encodes a negative component of Egr/JNK signaling pathway in Drosophila through negatively regulating JNK phosphorylation, which provides a novel role of ATPase in Egr-JNK signaling.
HHEX is a transcriptional regulator of the VEGFC/FLT4/PROX1 signaling axis during vascular development
Authors: Gauvrit Sébastien , Villasenor Alethia , Strilic Boris , Kitchen Philip , Collins Michelle M. , Marín-Juez Rubén , Guenther Stefan , Maischein Hans-Martin , Fukuda Nana , Canham Maurice A. , Brickman Joshua M. , Bogue Clifford W. , Jayaraman Padma-Sheela , Stainier Didier Y. R.
Published: July 2018

Formation of the lymphatic system requires the coordinated expression of several key regulators: vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC), its receptor FLT4, and a key transcriptional effector, PROX1. Yet, how expression of these signaling components is regulated remains poorly understood. Here, using a combination of genetic and molecular approaches, we identify the transcription factor hematopoietically expressed homeobox (HHEX) as an upstream regulator of VEGFC, FLT4, and PROX1 during angiogenic sprouting and lymphatic formation in vertebrates. By analyzing zebrafish mutants, we found that hhex is necessary for sprouting angiogenesis from the posterior cardinal vein, a process required for lymphangiogenesis. Furthermore, studies of mammalian HHEX using tissue-specific genetic deletions in mouse and knockdowns in cultured human endothelial cells reveal its highly conserved function during vascular and lymphatic development. Our findings that HHEX is essential for the regulation of the VEGFC/FLT4/PROX1 axis provide insights into the molecular regulation of lymphangiogenesis.
Influence of atomic site-specific strain on catalytic activity of supported nanoparticles
Authors: Nilsson Pingel Torben , Jørgensen Mikkel , Yankovich Andrew B. , Grönbeck Henrik , Olsson Eva
Published: July 2018

Heterogeneous catalysis is an enabling technology that utilises transition metal nanoparticles (NPs) supported on oxides to promote chemical reactions. Structural mismatch at the NP–support interface generates lattice strain that could affect catalytic properties. However, detailed knowledge about strain in supported NPs remains elusive. We experimentally measure the strain at interfaces, surfaces and defects in Pt NPs supported on alumina and ceria with atomic resolution using high-precision scanning transmission electron microscopy. The largest strains are observed at the interfaces and are predominantly compressive. Atomic models of Pt NPs with experimentally measured strain distributions are used for first-principles kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of the CO oxidation reaction. The presence of only a fraction of strained surface atoms is found to affect the turnover frequency. These results provide a quantitative understanding of the relationship between strain and catalytic function and demonstrate that strain engineering can potentially be used for catalyst design.
Population genomics of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae clonal-group 23 reveals early emergence and rapid global dissemination
Authors: Lam Margaret M. C. , Wyres Kelly L. , Duchêne Sebastian , Wick Ryan R. , Judd Louise M. , Gan Yunn-Hwen , Hoh Chu-Han , Archuleta Sophia , Molton James S. , Kalimuddin Shirin , Koh Tse Hsien , Passet Virginie , Brisse Sylvain , Holt Kathryn E.
Published: July 2018

Severe liver abscess infections caused by hypervirulent clonal-group CG23 Klebsiella pneumoniae have been increasingly reported since the mid-1980s. Strains typically possess several virulence factors including an integrative, conjugative element ICEKp encoding the siderophore yersiniabactin and genotoxin colibactin. Here we investigate CG23’s evolutionary history, showing several deep-branching sublineages associated with distinct ICEKp acquisitions. Over 80% of liver abscess isolates belong to sublineage CG23-I, which emerged in ~1928 following acquisition of ICEKp10 (encoding yersiniabactin and colibactin), and then disseminated globally within the human population. CG23-I’s distinguishing feature is the colibactin synthesis locus, which reportedly promotes gut colonisation and metastatic infection in murine models. These data show circulation of CG23 K. pneumoniae decades before the liver abscess epidemic was first recognised, and provide a framework for future epidemiological and experimental studies of hypervirulent K. pneumoniae. To support such studies we present an open access, completely sequenced CG23-I human liver abscess isolate, SGH10.
Limits to growth of forest biomass carbon sink under climate change
Authors: Zhu Kai , Zhang Jian , Niu Shuli , Chu Chengjin , Luo Yiqi
Published: July 2018

Widely recognized as a significant carbon sink, North American forests have experienced a history of recovery and are facing an uncertain future. This growing carbon sink is dictated by recovery from land-use change, with growth trajectory modified by environmental change. To address both processes, we compiled a forest inventory dataset from North America to quantify aboveground biomass growth with stand age across forest types and climate gradients. Here we show, the biomass grows from 90 Mg ha–1 (2000–2016) to 105 Mg ha–1 (2020 s), 128 Mg ha–1 (2050 s), and 146 Mg ha–1 (2080 s) under climate change scenarios with no further disturbances. Climate change modifies the forest recovery trajectory to some extent, but the overall growth is limited, showing signs of biomass saturation. The future (2080s) biomass will only sequester at most 22% more carbon than the current level. Given such a strong sink has limited growth potential, our ground-based analysis suggests policy changes to sustain the carbon sink.
KIF20A/MKLP2 regulates the division modes of neural progenitor cells during cortical development
Authors: Geng Anqi , Qiu Runxiang , Murai Kiyohito , Liu Jiancheng , Wu Xiwei , Zhang Heying , Farhoodi Henry , Duong Nam , Jiang Meisheng , Yee Jiing-kuan , Tsark Walter , Lu Qiang
Published: July 2018

Balanced symmetric and asymmetric divisions of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) are crucial for brain development, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we report that mitotic kinesin KIF20A/MKLP2 interacts with RGS3 and plays a crucial role in controlling the division modes of NPCs during cortical neurogenesis. Knockdown of KIF20A in NPCs causes dislocation of RGS3 from the intercellular bridge (ICB), impairs the function of Ephrin-B–RGS cell fate signaling complex, and leads to a transition from proliferative to differentiative divisions. Germline and inducible knockout of KIF20A causes a loss of progenitor cells and neurons and results in thinner cortex and ventriculomegaly. Interestingly, loss of function of KIF20A induces early cell cycle exit and precocious neuronal differentiation without causing substantial cytokinesis defect or apoptosis. Our results identify a RGS–KIF20A axis in the regulation of cell division and suggest a potential link of the ICB to regulation of cell fate determination.
Magnetostatic twists in room-temperature skyrmions explored by nitrogen-vacancy center spin texture reconstruction
Authors: Dovzhenko Y. , Casola F. , Schlotter S. , Zhou T. X. , Büttner F. , Walsworth R. L. , Beach G. S. D. , Yacoby A.
Published: July 2018

Magnetic skyrmions are two-dimensional non-collinear spin textures characterized by an integer topological number. Room-temperature skyrmions were recently found in magnetic multilayer stacks, where their stability was largely attributed to the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction. The strength of this interaction and its role in stabilizing the skyrmions is not yet well understood, and imaging of the full spin structure is needed to address this question. Here, we use a nitrogen-vacancy centre in diamond to measure a map of magnetic fields produced by a skyrmion in a magnetic multilayer under ambient conditions. We compute the manifold of candidate spin structures and select the physically meaningful solution. We find a Néel-type skyrmion whose chirality is not left-handed, contrary to preceding reports. We propose skyrmion tube-like structures whose chirality rotates through the film thickness. We show that NV magnetometry, combined with our analysis method, provides a unique tool to investigate this previously inaccessible phenomenon.
Skilful forecasting of global fire activity using seasonal climate predictions
Authors: Turco Marco , Jerez Sonia , Doblas-Reyes Francisco J. , AghaKouchak Amir , Llasat Maria Carmen , Provenzale Antonello
Published: July 2018

Societal exposure to large fires has been increasing in recent years. Estimating the expected fire activity a few months in advance would allow reducing environmental and socio-economic impacts through short-term adaptation and response to climate variability and change. However, seasonal prediction of climate-driven fires is still in its infancy. Here, we discuss a strategy for seasonally forecasting burned area anomalies linking seasonal climate predictions with parsimonious empirical climate–fire models using the standardized precipitation index as the climate predictor for burned area. Assuming near-perfect climate predictions, we obtained skilful predictions of fire activity over a substantial portion of the global burnable area (~60%). Using currently available operational seasonal climate predictions, the skill of fire seasonal forecasts remains high and significant in a large fraction of the burnable area (~40%). These findings reveal an untapped and useful burned area predictive ability using seasonal climate forecasts, which can play a crucial role in fire management strategies and minimise the impact of adverse climate conditions.
A rigid and healable polymer cross-linked by weak but abundant Zn(II)-carboxylate interactions
Authors: Lai Jian-Cheng , Li Lan , Wang Da-Peng , Zhang Min-Hao , Mo Sheng-Ran , Wang Xue , Zeng Ke-Yu , Li Cheng-Hui , Jiang Qing , You Xiao-Zeng , Zuo Jing-Lin
Published: July 2018

Achieving a desirable combination of solid-like properties and fast self-healing is a great challenge due to slow diffusion dynamics. In this work, we describe a design concept that utilizes weak but abundant coordination bonds to achieve this objective. The designed PDMS polymer, crosslinked by abundant Zn(II)-carboxylate interactions, is very strong and rigid at room temperature. As the coordination equilibrium is sensitive to temperature, the mechanical strength of this polymer rapidly and reversibly changes upon heating or cooling. The soft–rigid switching ability σ, defined as G’max /G’min, can reach 8000 when ΔT = 100 °C. Based on these features, this polymer not only exhibits fast thermal-healing properties, but is also advantageous for various applications such as in orthopedic immobilization, conductive composites/adhesives, and 3D printing.
Infralimbic cortex is required for learning alternatives to prelimbic promoted associations through reciprocal connectivity
Authors: Mukherjee Arghya , Caroni Pico
Published: July 2018

Prefrontal cortical areas mediate flexible adaptive control of behavior, but the specific contributions of individual areas and the circuit mechanisms through which they interact to modulate learning have remained poorly understood. Using viral tracing and pharmacogenetic techniques, we show that prelimbic (PreL) and infralimbic cortex (IL) exhibit reciprocal PreL↔IL layer 5/6 connectivity. In set-shifting tasks and in fear/extinction learning, activity in PreL is required during new learning to apply previously learned associations, whereas activity in IL is required to learn associations alternative to previous ones. IL→PreL connectivity is specifically required during IL-dependent learning, whereas reciprocal PreL↔IL connectivity is required during a time window of 12–14 h after association learning, to set up the role of IL in subsequent learning. Our results define specific and opposing roles of PreL and IL to together flexibly support new learning, and provide circuit evidence that IL-mediated learning of alternative associations depends on direct reciprocal PreL↔IL connectivity.
Unusual evolution of Bc2 and Tc with inclined fields in restacked TaS2 nanosheets
Authors: Ma Yonghui , Pan Jie , Guo Chenguang , Zhang Xuan , Wang Lingling , Hu Tao , Mu Gang , Huang Fuqiang , Xie Xiaoming
Published: July 2018

Recently we reported an enhanced superconductivity in restacked monolayer TaS2 nanosheets compared with the bulk TaS2, pointing to the exotic physical properties of low dimensional systems. Here we tune the superconducting properties of this system with magnetic field along different directions, where a strong Pauli paramagnetic spin-splitting effect is found in this system. Importantly, an unusual enhancement as high as 3.8 times of the upper critical field Bc2, as compered with the Ginzburg-Landau (GL) model and Tinkham model, is observed under the inclined external magnetic field. Moreover, with the out-of-plane field fixed, we find that the superconducting transition temperature Tc can be enhanced by increasing the in-plane field and forms a dome-shaped phase diagram. An extended GL model considering the special microstructure with wrinkles was proposed to describe the results. The restacked crystal structure without inversion center along with the strong spin–orbit coupling may also play an important role for our observations.
Functional and morphological differences of the lung upon acute and chronic ozone exposure in mice
Authors: Michaudel Chloé , Fauconnier Louis , Julé Yvon , Ryffel Bernhard
Published: July 2018

Environmental air pollutants including ozone cause severe lung injury and aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD. Here we compared the effect of ozone on respiratory epithelium injury, inflammation, hyperreactivity and airway remodeling in mice upon acute (1ppm, 1 h) and chronic exposure (1.5ppm, 2 h, twice weekly for 6 weeks). Acute ozone exposure caused respiratory epithelial disruption with protein leak and neutrophil recruitment in the broncho-alveolar space, leading to lung inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine. All these parameters were increased upon chronic ozone exposure, including collagen deposition. The structure of the airways as assessed by automatic numerical image analysis showed significant differences: While acute ozone exposure increased bronchial and lumen circularity but decreased epithelial thickness and area, chronic ozone exposure revealed epithelial injury with reduced height, distended bronchioles, enlarged alveolar space and increased collagen deposition, indicative of peribronchiolar fibrosis and emphysema as characterized by a significant increase in the density and diameter of airspaces with decreased airspace numbers. In conclusion, morphometric numerical analysis enables an automatic and unbiased assessment of small airway remodeling. The structural changes of the small airways correlated with functional changes allowing to follow the progression from acute to chronic ozone induced respiratory pathology.
The genetic structure of Squalidus multimaculatus revealing the historical pattern of serial colonization on the tip of East Asian continent
Authors: Jeon Hyung-Bae , Kim Dong-Young , Lee Yoon Jeong , Bae Han-Gyu , Suk Ho Young
Published: July 2018

Separated river systems could create confluences via two geological processes, estuary coalescence in response to decreasing sea levels and headwater capture, allowing primary freshwater species to disperse across rivers. Squalidus multimaculatus, is an endemic and primary freshwater species restricted to the southeast coast of the Korean Peninsula. The distribution of this species is unique, given that other congeneric species, including its closely related S. gracilis majimae, as well as other cyprind species are observed throughout the peninsula except for the east coast. Phylogeographic analyses were conducted using three mitochondrial loci to identify the origin of S. multimaculatus and the historical pathways of dispersal. A strong phylogenetic affinity between S. multimaculatus and S. g. majimae and the genetic structure among populations indicated that S. multimaculatus originated from the eastward colonization of the common ancestor between S. g. majimae and S. multimaculatus via headwater capture through fault zones within successive mountain range. Following colonization, the ancestral S. multimaculatus likely migrated towards north via estuary coalescence along a well-developed continental shelf. Our study was the first empirical attempt providing insights into how freshwater organisms dispersed to the southernmost tip of East Asia, despite the potential loss of such historical imprints with anthropogenic interference.
On the role of ocular torsion in binocular visual matching
Authors: Hess Bernhard J. M.
Published: July 2018

When an observer scans the visual surround, the images cast on the two retinae are slightly different due to the different viewpoints of the two eyes. Objects in the horizontal plane of regard can be seen single by aligning the lines of sight without changing the torsional stance of the eyes. Due to the peculiar ocular kinematics this is not possible for objects above or below the horizontal plane of regard. We provide evidence that binocular fusion can be achieved independently of viewing direction by adjusting the mutual torsional orientation of the eyes in the frontal plane. We characterize the fusion positions of the eyes across the oculomotor range by deriving simple trigonometric equations for the required torsion as a function of gaze direction and compute the iso-torsion contours yielding binocular fusion. Finally, we provide experimental evidence that eye positions in far-to-near re-fixation saccades indeed converge towards the predicted positions by adjusting the torsion of the eyes. This is the first report that describes the three-dimensional orientation of the eyes at binocular fusion positions based on the three-dimensional ocular kinematics. It closes a gap between the sensory and the motor side of binocular vision and stereoscopy.
Author Correction: Detection of cervical lymph node metastasis from oral cavity cancer using a non-radiating, noninvasive digital infrared thermal imaging system
Authors: Dong Fan , Tao Chuansibo , Wu Ji , Su Ying , Wang Yuguang , Wang Yong , Guo Chuanbin , Lyu Peijun
Published: July 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Structure and energy based quantitative missense variant effect analysis provides insights into drug resistance mechanisms of anaplastic lymphoma kinase mutations
Authors: Li Jianzong , Huang Yue , Wu Miaomiao , Wu Chuanfang , Li Xin , Bao Jinku
Published: July 2018

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is considered as a validated molecular target in multiple malignancies, such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the effectiveness of molecularly targeted therapies using ALK inhibitors is almost universally limited by drug resistance. Drug resistance to molecularly targeted therapies has now become a major obstacle to effective cancer treatment and personalized medicine. It is of particular importance to provide an improved understanding on the mechanisms of resistance of ALK inhibitors, thus rational new therapeutic strategies can be developed to combat resistance. We used state-of-the-art computational approaches to systematically explore the mutational effects of ALK mutations on drug resistance properties. We found the activation of ALK was increased by substitution with destabilizing mutations, creating the capacity to confer drug resistance to inhibitors. In addition, results implied that evolutionary constraints might affect the drug resistance properties. Moreover, an extensive profile of drugs against ALK mutations was constructed to give better understanding of the mechanism of drug resistance based on structural transitions and energetic variation. Our work hopes to provide an up-to-date mechanistic framework for understanding the mechanisms of drug resistance induced by ALK mutations, thus tailor treatment decisions after the emergence of resistance in ALK-dependent diseases.
Entanglement Availability Differentiation Service for the Quantum Internet
Authors: Gyongyosi Laszlo , Imre Sandor
Published: July 2018

A fundamental concept of the quantum Internet is quantum entanglement. In a quantum Internet scenario where the legal users of the network have different priority levels or where a differentiation of entanglement availability between the users is a necessity, an entanglement availability service is essential. Here we define the entanglement availability differentiation (EAD) service for the quantum Internet. In the proposed EAD framework, the differentiation is either made in the amount of entanglement with respect to the relative entropy of entanglement associated with the legal users, or in the time domain with respect to the amount of time that is required to establish a maximally entangled system between the legal parties. The framework provides an efficient and easily-implementable solution for the differentiation of entanglement availability in experimental quantum networking scenarios.
Comparison of oxidation in uni-directionally and randomly oriented Cu films for low temperature Cu-to-Cu direct bonding
Authors: Tseng Chih-Han , Tu K. N. , Chen Chih
Published: July 2018

Cu-to-Cu direct bonding has attracted attention because it has been implemented in CMOS image sensors. Prior to the bonding, the oxides on the Cu surface needs to be removed, yet the surface may oxidize right after cleaning. Thus, oxidation is an inherent issue in the application of Cu direct bonding. Our previous study reported that Cu direct bonding can be achieved below 250 °C by using (111)-oriented nanotwinned Cu because it has the fastest surface diffusivity. However, the oxidation behavior of the nanotwinned Cu is unclear. Here, we examined the oxidation behavior of highly (111) and (200) oriented, and randomly-oriented Cu films at temperatures ranging from 120 to 250 °C. Transmission electron microscopy was used to measure the oxide thickness. The results show that the oxidation rate of (111)-oriented nanotwinned Cu has the lowest oxidation rate among them. Together, it is unique to possess the combination of the fastest surface diffusivity and the lowest oxidation rate.