bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotype × Environment Interaction in Psychiatric Genetics: Deep Truth or Thin Ice?
Authors: Eaves Lindon
Published: May 2017

Background:There continues to be significant investment in the detection of genotype × environment interaction (G × E) in psychiatric genetics. The implications of the method of assessment for the genetic analysis of psychiatric disorders are examined for simulated twin data on symptom scores and environmental covariates.Methods: Additive and independent genetic and environmental risks were simulated for 10,000 monozygotic (MZ) and 10,000 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs and the ‘subjects’ administered typical simulated checklists of clinical symptoms and environmental factors. A variety of standard tests for G × E were applied to the simulated additive risk scores, sum scores derived from the checklists and transformed sum scores.Results:All analyses revealed no evidence for G × E for latent risk but marked evidence for G × E and other effects of modulation in the sum scores. These effects were all removed by transformation. An integrated genetic and psychometric model, accounting for both the causes of latent liability and a theory of measurement, was fitted to a sample of the simulated sum-score data and showed that there was no significant modulation of the parameters of the genetic model by environmental covariates (i.e., no G × E).Conclusions:Claims to detect G × E based on analytical methods that ignore the theory of measurement must be subjected to greater scrutiny prior to publication.
Sozialer und ökonomischer Nutzen der Impfung gegen Influenza
Authors: Blank Patricia R. , Szucs Thomas D.
Published: May 2017

Zusammenfassung. Die soziale und ökonomische Bürde von jährlichen Influenza-Epidemien wird generell unterschätzt. Influenza-Epidemien verursachen neben direkten medizinischen Kosten vor allem indirekte Kosten durch Produktions- und Arbeitsausfall. Hinzu kommen makroökonomische Auswirkungen durch verändertes menschliches Verhalten und reduzierte ökonomische Nachfrage. Die Impfung ist eine einfache, effektive Massnahme mit der man sich und sein Umfeld gegen eine Infektion schützen kann. Viele Studien zeigten, dass die Impfung gegen Influenza kosteneffektiv und in gewissen Zielpopulationen sogar kostensparend ist.
A tetraoxane-based antimalarial drug candidate that overcomes PfK13-C580Y dependent artemisinin resistance
Authors: O’Neill Paul M. , Amewu Richard K. , Charman Susan A. , Sabbani Sunil , Gnädig Nina F. , Straimer Judith , Fidock David A. , Shore Emma R. , Roberts Natalie L. , Wong Michael H.-L. , Hong W. David , Pidathala Chandrakala , Riley Chris , Murphy Ben , Aljayyoussi Ghaith , Gamo Francisco Javier , Sanz Laura , Rodrigues Janneth , Cortes Carolina Gonzalez , Herreros Esperanza , Angulo-Barturén Iñigo , Jiménez-Díaz María Belén , Bazaga Santiago Ferrer , Martínez-Martínez María Santos , Campo Brice , Sharma Raman , Ryan Eileen , Shackleford David M. , Campbell Simon , Smith Dennis A. , Wirjanata Grennady , Noviyanti Rintis , Price Ric N. , Marfurt Jutta , Palmer Michael J. , Copple Ian M. , Mercer Amy E. , Ruecker Andrea , Delves Michael J. , Sinden Robert E. , Siegl Peter , Davies Jill , Rochford Rosemary , Kocken Clemens H. M. , Zeeman Anne-Marie , Nixon Gemma L. , Biagini Giancarlo A. , Ward Stephen A.
Published: May 2017

K13 gene mutations are a primary marker of artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum malaria that threatens the long-term clinical utility of artemisinin-based combination therapies, the cornerstone of modern day malaria treatment. Here we describe a multinational drug discovery programme that has delivered a synthetic tetraoxane-based molecule, E209, which meets key requirements of the Medicines for Malaria Venture drug candidate profiles. E209 has potent nanomolar inhibitory activity against multiple strains of P. falciparum and P. vivax in vitro, is efficacious against P. falciparum in in vivo rodent models, produces parasite reduction ratios equivalent to dihydroartemisinin and has pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics compatible with a single-dose cure. In vitro studies with transgenic parasites expressing variant forms of K13 show no cross-resistance with the C580Y mutation, the primary variant observed in Southeast Asia. E209 is a superior next generation endoperoxide with combined pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features that overcome the liabilities of artemisinin derivatives.
Genomic variation associated with local adaptation of weedy rice during de-domestication
Authors: Qiu Jie , Zhou Yongjun , Mao Lingfeng , Ye Chuyu , Wang Weidi , Zhang Jianping , Yu Yongyi , Fu Fei , Wang Yunfei , Qian Feijian , Qi Ting , Wu Sanling , Sultana Most Humaira , Cao Ya-Nan , Wang Yu , Timko Michael P. , Ge Song , Fan Longjiang , Lu Yongliang
Published: May 2017

De-domestication is a unique evolutionary process by which domesticated crops are converted into ‘wild predecessor like’ forms. Weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) is an excellent model to dissect the molecular processes underlying de-domestication. Here, we analyse the genomes of 155 weedy and 76 locally cultivated rice accessions from four representative regions in China that were sequenced to an average 18.2 × coverage. Phylogenetic and demographic analyses indicate that Chinese weedy rice was de-domesticated independently from cultivated rice and experienced a strong genetic bottleneck. Although evolving from multiple origins, critical genes underlying convergent evolution of different weedy types can be found. Allele frequency analyses suggest that standing variations and new mutations contribute differently to japonica and indica weedy rice. We identify a Mb-scale genomic region present in weedy rice but not cultivated rice genomes that shows evidence of balancing selection, thereby suggesting that there might be more complexity inherent to the process of de-domestication.
Coherent structural trapping through wave packet dispersion during photoinduced spin state switching
Authors: Lemke Henrik T. , Kjær Kasper S. , Hartsock Robert , van Driel Tim B. , Chollet Matthieu , Glownia James M. , Song Sanghoon , Zhu Diling , Pace Elisabetta , Matar Samir F. , Nielsen Martin M. , Benfatto Maurizio , Gaffney Kelly J. , Collet Eric , Cammarata Marco
Published: May 2017

The description of ultrafast nonadiabatic chemical dynamics during molecular photo-transformations remains challenging because electronic and nuclear configurations impact each other and cannot be treated independently. Here we gain experimental insights, beyond the Born–Oppenheimer approximation, into the light-induced spin-state trapping dynamics of the prototypical [Fe(bpy)3]2+ compound by time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy at sub-30-femtosecond resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio. The electronic decay from the initial optically excited electronic state towards the high spin state is distinguished from the structural trapping dynamics, which launches a coherent oscillating wave packet (265 fs period), clearly identified as molecular breathing. Throughout the structural trapping, the dispersion of the wave packet along the reaction coordinate reveals details of intramolecular vibronic coupling before a slower vibrational energy dissipation to the solution environment. These findings illustrate how modern time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy can provide key information to unravel dynamic details of photo-functional molecules.
Non-Poissonian photon statistics from macroscopic photon cutting materials
Authors: de Jong Mathijs , Meijerink Andries , Rabouw Freddy T.
Published: May 2017

In optical materials energy is usually extracted only from the lowest excited state, resulting in fundamental energy-efficiency limits such as the Shockley–Queisser limit for single-junction solar cells. Photon-cutting materials provide a way around such limits by absorbing high-energy photons and ‘cutting’ them into multiple low-energy excitations that can subsequently be extracted. The occurrence of photon cutting or quantum cutting has been demonstrated in a variety of materials, including semiconductor quantum dots, lanthanides and organic dyes. Here we show that photon cutting results in bunched photon emission on the timescale of the excited-state lifetime, even when observing a macroscopic number of optical centres. Our theoretical derivation matches well with experimental data on NaLaF4:Pr3+, a material that can cut deep-ultraviolet photons into two visible photons. This signature of photon cutting can be used to identify and characterize new photon-cutting materials unambiguously.
Natural allelic variation of FRO2 modulates Arabidopsis root growth under iron deficiency
Authors: Satbhai Santosh B. , Setzer Claudia , Freynschlag Florentina , Slovak Radka , Kerdaffrec Envel , Busch Wolfgang
Published: May 2017

Low availability of Fe significantly limits crop yields in many parts of the world. However, it is largely unknown which genes and alleles adjust plant growth in Fe limited environments. Using natural variation of a geographically restricted panel of Arabidopsis thaliana accessions, we identify allelic variation at the FRO2 locus associated with root length under iron deficiency. We show that non-coding sequence variation at the FRO2 locus leads to variation of FRO2 transcript levels, as well as ferric chelate reductase activity, and is causal for a portion of the observed root length variation. These FRO2 allele dependent differences are coupled with altered seedling phenotypes grown on iron-limited soil. Overall, we show that these natural genetic variants of FRO2 tune its expression. These variants might be useful for improvement of agronomically relevant species under specific environmental conditions, such as in podzols or calcareous soils.
Massive expansion and differential evolution of small heat shock proteins with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) polyploidization
Authors: Wang Xiaoming , Wang Ruochen , Ma Chuang , Shi Xue , Liu Zhenshan , Wang Zhonghua , Sun Qixin , Cao Jun , Xu Shengbao
Published: May 2017

Wheat (Triticum aestivum), one of the world’s most important crops, is facing unprecedented challenges due to global warming. To evaluate the gene resources for heat adaptation in hexaploid wheat, small heat shock proteins (sHSPs), the key plant heat protection genes, were comprehensively analysed in wheat and related species. We found that the sHSPs of hexaploid wheat were massively expanded in A and B subgenomes with intrachromosomal duplications during polyploidization. These expanded sHSPs were under similar purifying selection and kept the expressional patterns with the original copies. Generally, a strong purifying selection acted on the α-crystallin domain (ACD) and theoretically constrain conserved function. Meanwhile, weaker purifying selection and strong positive selection acted on the N-terminal region, which conferred sHSP flexibility, allowing adjustments to a wider range of substrates in response to genomic and environmental changes. Notably, in CI, CV, ER, MI and MII subfamilies, gene duplications, expression variations and functional divergence occurred before wheat polyploidization. Our results indicate the massive expansion of active sHSPs in hexaploid wheat may also provide more raw materials for evolving functional novelties and generating genetic diversity to face future global climate changes, and highlight the expansion of stress response genes with wheat polyploidization.
Aberrant Intra- and Internetwork Functional Connectivity in Depressed Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Wei Luqing , Hu Xiao , Zhu Yajing , Yuan Yonggui , Liu Weiguo , Chen Hong
Published: May 2017

Much is known concerning the underlying mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) with depression, but our understanding of this disease at the neural-system level remains incomplete. This study used resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) and independent component analysis (ICA) to investigate intrinsic functional connectivity (FC) within and between large-scale neural networks in 20 depressed PD (dPD) patients, 35 non-depressed PD (ndPD) patients, and 34 healthy controls (HC). To alleviate the influence caused by ICA model order selection, this work reported results from analyses at 2 levels (low and high model order). Within these two analyses, similar results were obtained: 1) dPD and ndPD patients relative to HC had reduced FC in basal ganglia network (BGN); 2) dPD compared with ndPD patients exhibited increased FC in left frontoparietal network (LFPN) and salience network (SN), and decreased FC in default-mode network (DMN); 3) dPD patients compared to HC showed increased FC between DMN and LFPN. Additionally, connectivity anomalies in the DMN, LFPN and SN correlated with the depression severity in patients with PD. Our findings confirm the involvement of BGN, DMN, LFPN and SN in depression in PD, facilitating the development of more detailed and integrative neural models of PD with depression.
Iterative Sequencing and Variant Screening (ISVS) as a novel pathogenic mutations search strategy - application for TMPRSS3 mutations screen
Authors: Lechowicz Urszula , Gambin Tomasz , Pollak Agnieszka , Podgorska Anna , Stawinski Piotr , Franke Andre , Petersen Britt-Sabina , Firczuk Malgorzata , Oldak Monika , Skarzynski Henryk , Ploski Rafal
Published: May 2017

Autosomal recessive diseases (ARD) are typically caused by a limited number of mutations whose identification is challenged by their low prevalence. Our purpose was to develop a novel approach allowing an efficient search for mutations causing ARD and evaluation of their pathogenicity without a control group. We developed Iterative Sequencing and Variant Screening (ISVS) approach based on iterative cycles of gene sequencing and mutation screening, and ISVS Simulator software (http://zsibio.ii.pw.edu.pl/shiny/isvs/) for assessment of detected variants’ significance. As shown by simulations, ISVS efficiently identifies and correctly classifies pathogenic mutations except for cases where the gene of interest has extremely high number of low frequency nonpathogenic variants. By applying ISVS, we found 4 known and 9 novel (p.C73Y, p.S124L, p.C194Mfs*17, c.782 + 2 T > A, c.953-5 A > G, p.L325Q, p.D334Mfs*24, p.R436G, p.M448T) TMPRSS3 variants among deaf patients. For 3 known and 5 novel variants the disease association was supported by ISVS Simulator odds >90:1. Pathogenicity of 6 novel mutations has been supported by in-silico predictions of variants’ deleteriousness. By directly comparing variant prevalence in patients and controls, disease association was demonstrated only for two variants and it was relatively weak (P < 0.05). Summarizing, ISVS strategy and ISVS Simulator are useful for detection of genetic variants causing AR diseases.
Bone marrow niche-mimetics modulate HSPC function via integrin signaling
Authors: Kräter Martin , Jacobi Angela , Otto Oliver , Tietze Stefanie , Müller Katrin , Poitz David M. , Palm Sandra , Zinna Valentina M. , Biehain Ulrike , Wobus Manja , Chavakis Triantafyllos , Werner Carsten , Guck Jochen , Bornhauser Martin
Published: May 2017

The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment provides critical physical cues for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) maintenance and fate decision mediated by cell-matrix interactions. However, the mechanisms underlying matrix communication and signal transduction are less well understood. Contrary, stem cell culture is mainly facilitated in suspension cultures. Here, we used bone marrow-mimetic decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to study HSPC-ECM interaction. Seeding freshly isolated HSPCs adherent (AT) and non-adherent (SN) cells were found. We detected enhanced expansion and active migration of AT-cells mediated by ECM incorporated stromal derived factor one. Probing cell mechanics, AT-cells displayed naïve cell deformation compared to SN-cells indicating physical recognition of ECM material properties by focal adhesion. Integrin αIIb (CD41), αV (CD51) and β3 (CD61) were found to be induced. Signaling focal contacts via ITGβ3 were identified to facilitate cell adhesion, migration and mediate ECM-physical cues to modulate HSPC function.
Developmental changes in social attention and oxytocin levels in infants and children
Authors: Nishizato Minaho , Fujisawa Takashi X. , Kosaka Hirotaka , Tomoda Akemi
Published: May 2017

Oxytocin (OT) signalling represents one of the most critical systems involved in human social behaviour. Although several studies have examined the relationship between social functioning and peripheral OT levels, the association between OT and the development of social attention has not been well studied. Therefore, we investigated the developmental relationship between gaze fixation for social cues and OT levels during young childhood. We examined visual attention using an eye tracking system in infants and children (5–90 months of age) and measured the concentration of OT in saliva samples. We observed a negative association between age and both attention toward social cues and salivary OT levels, and a positive association between age and attention for non-social cues. We also observed that salivary OT levels were modulated by polymorphisms in oxytocin receptor (OXTR) rs53576. Our results suggest that there is an age-dependent association between visual attention for social cues and OT levels in infants and children, and that the development of visual attention to the eyes as social cues is associated with both OXTR polymorphisms and OT levels. Such findings indicate that OT and OXTR status may provide insight into the atypical development of social attention in infants and young children.
Experimental investigation of quantum entropic uncertainty relations for multiple measurements in pure diamond
Authors: Xing Jian , Zhang Yu-Ran , Liu Shang , Chang Yan-Chun , Yue Jie-Dong , Fan Heng , Pan Xin-Yu
Published: May 2017

One unique feature of quantum mechanics is the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, which states that the outcomes of two incompatible measurements cannot simultaneously achieve arbitrary precision. In an information-theoretic context of quantum information, the uncertainty principle can be formulated as entropic uncertainty relations with two measurements for a quantum bit (qubit) in two-dimensional system. New entropic uncertainty relations are studied for a higher-dimensional quantum state with multiple measurements, and the uncertainty bounds can be tighter than that expected from two measurements settings and cannot result from qubits system with or without a quantum memory. Here we report the first room-temperature experimental testing of the entropic uncertainty relations with three measurements in a natural three-dimensional solid-state system: the nitrogen-vacancy center in pure diamond. The experimental results confirm the entropic uncertainty relations for multiple measurements. Our result represents a more precise demonstrating of the fundamental uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics.
Photoacoustic imaging of voltage responses beyond the optical diffusion limit
Authors: Rao Bin , Zhang Ruiying , Li Lei , Shao Jin-Yu , Wang Lihong V.
Published: May 2017

Non-invasive optical imaging of neuronal voltage response signals in live brains is constrained in depth by the optical diffusion limit, which is due primarily to optical scattering by brain tissues. Although photoacoustic tomography breaks this limit by exciting the targets with diffused photons and detecting the resulting acoustic responses, it has not been demonstrated as a modality for imaging voltage responses. In this communication, we report the first demonstration of photoacoustic voltage response imaging in both in vitro HEK-293 cell cultures and in vivo mouse brain surfaces. Using spectroscopic photoacoustic tomography at isosbestic wavelengths, we can separate voltage response signals and hemodynamic signals on live brain surfaces. By imaging HEK-293 cell clusters through 4.5 mm thick ex vivo rat brain tissue, we demonstrate photoacoustic tomography of cell membrane voltage responses beyond the optical diffusion limit. Although the current voltage dye does not immediately allow in vivo deep brain voltage response imaging, we believe our method opens up a feasible technical path for deep brain studies in the future.
FastGT: an alignment-free method for calling common SNVs directly from raw sequencing reads
Authors: Pajuste Fanny-Dhelia , Kaplinski Lauris , Möls Märt , Puurand Tarmo , Lepamets Maarja , Remm Maido
Published: May 2017

We have developed a computational method that counts the frequencies of unique k-mers in FASTQ-formatted genome data and uses this information to infer the genotypes of known variants. FastGT can detect the variants in a 30x genome in less than 1 hour using ordinary low-cost server hardware. The overall concordance with the genotypes of two Illumina “Platinum” genomes is 99.96%, and the concordance with the genotypes of the Illumina HumanOmniExpress is 99.82%. Our method provides k-mer database that can be used for the simultaneous genotyping of approximately 30 million single nucleotide variants (SNVs), including >23,000 SNVs from Y chromosome. The source code of FastGT software is available at GitHub (https://github.com/bioinfo-ut/GenomeTester4/).
Low-field electron mobility of InSb nanowires: Numerical efforts to larger cross sections
Authors: Feng Wei , Peng Chen , Li Shuang , Li Xin-Qi
Published: May 2017

Within the framework of Boltzmann equation, we present a k · p theory based study for the low-field mobilities of InSb nanowires (InSb NWs) with relatively large cross sectional sizes (with diameters up to 51.8 nm). For such type of large size nanowires, the intersubband electron-phonon scattering is of crucial importance to affect the scattering rate and then the mobility. In our simulation, the lowest 15 electron subbands and 50 transverse modes of phonons are carefully accounted for. We find that, up to the 51.84 nm diameter, the mobility monotonously increases with the diameter, not yet showing any saturated behavior. We also find that, while the bulk InSb mobility is considerably higher than the bulk Si, the small size (e.g. ~3 nm diameter) nanowires from both materials have similar magnitude of mobilities. This implies, importantly, that the mobility of the InSb NWs would decrease faster than the SiNWs as we reduce the cross sectional size of the nanowires.
Association of body mass index with mortality and functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Sun Weiping , Huang Yining , Xian Ying , Zhu Sainan , Jia Zhirong , Liu Ran , Li Fan , Wei Jade W. , Wang Ji-Guang , Liu Ming , Anderson Craig S.
Published: May 2017

The relation between obesity and stroke outcome has been disputed. This study was aimed to determine the association of body mass index (BMI) with mortality and functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Data were from a national, multi-centre, prospective, hospital-based register: the ChinaQUEST (Quality Evaluation of Stroke Care and Treatment) study. Of 4782 acute ischemic stroke patients, 282 were underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), 2306 were normal-weight (BMI 18.5 to < 24 kg/m2), 1677 were overweight (BMI 24 to <28 kg/m2) and 517 were obese (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2). The risks of death at 12 months and death or high dependency at 3 and 12 months in overweight (HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.78–1.20; OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.80–1.09; OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.81–1.12) and obese patients (HR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.78–1.48; OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.75–1.22; OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.83–1.35) did not differ from normal-weight patients significantly after adjusting for baseline characteristics. Underweight patients had significantly increased risks of these three outcomes. In ischemic stroke patients, being overweight or obese was not associated with decreased mortality or better functional recovery but being underweight predicted unfavourable outcomes.
Analysis of soil water movement inside a footslope and a depression in a karst catchment, Southwest China
Authors: Chen Hongsong , Hu Ke , Nie Yunpeng , Wang Kelin
Published: May 2017

Soil water movement is difficult to explain with event-scale approaches, especially in karst regions. This paper focuses on investigating seasonal recharge and mean residence time (MRT) of soil water based on temporal variation of stable isotopes (δD and δ18O) and a dispersion model (DM), and discussing their differences along a footslope and a depression in a small karst catchment of southwest China. Temporal variations of the stable isotopes in precipitation and soil water within 0–100 cm profiles were monitored weekly for approximately 43 and 99 weeks. Results show that the seasonal recharge of soil water inside the footslope and the depression were similar, but the vertical flow velocity was higher implying a faster hydrological process in the footslope. The MRT of soil water (2–64 weeks) increased roughly, suggesting decreasing velocity of water displacement with increasing depth. However, the MRT at 60–100 cm depths in the depression (47–64 weeks) was obviously longer than at other sites, revealing more intensive water mixing. Furthermore, a shallower isotopic damping depth was found in the depression, indicating stronger delay and attenuation effects on base flow recharge. These results provide new insights into research on hydrological processes in karst areas.
Monitoring ZEO apoptotic potential in 2D and 3D cell cultures and associated spectroscopic evidence on mode of interaction with DNA
Authors: Salehi Fahimeh , Behboudi Hossein , Kavoosi Gholamreza , Ardestani Sussan K.
Published: May 2017

Recognizing new anticancer compounds to improve Breast cancer treatment seems crucial. Essential oil of Zataria Multiflora (ZEO) is a secondary metabolite with some biological properties, yet underlying cellular and molecular anticancer properties of ZEO is unclear. GC/MS analysis revealed that carvacrol is the major ingredient of the essential oil. ZEO increasingly suppressed viability in MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and T47D Breast cancer cells while nontoxic to L929 normal cells in monolayer cell cultures (2D), whereas MDA-MB-231 multicellular spheroids (3D) were more resistant to inhibition. ZEO significantly induced cell apoptosis confirmed by fluorescent staining, flow cytometry analysis and DNA fragmentation in MDA-MB-231 2D and 3D cell cultures. ZEO increased ROS generation and subsequent loss of ΔΨm, caspase 3 activation and DNA damage which consequently caused G1 and G2/M cell cycle arrest in a dose- and time-dependent manner in 2D. S phase arrest occurred in cell spheroids therefore ZEO possible DNA interaction with gDNA was investigated and revealed ZEO binds DNA via intercalation. Altogether, these data corroborate anticancer properties of ZEO and suggest that cell culture format (2D monolayer vs. 3D spheroid) plays a critical role in drug response and provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying ZEO cytotoxicity effect on Breast cancer cells.
Dibutyl phthalate induced testicular dysgenesis originates after seminiferous cord formation in rats
Authors: Lara Nathália L. M. , van den Driesche Sander , Macpherson Sheila , França Luiz R. , Sharpe Richard M.
Published: May 2017

Administration of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) to pregnant rats causes reproductive disorders in male offspring, resulting from suppression of intratesticular testosterone, and is used as a model for human testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS). DBP exposure in pregnancy induces focal dysgenetic areas in fetal testes that appear between e19.5–e21.5, manifesting as focal aggregation of Leydig cells and ectopic Sertoli cells (SC). Our aim was to identify the origins of the ectopic SC. Time-mated female rats were administered 750 mg/kg/day DBP in three different time windows: full window (FW; e13.5–e20.5), masculinisation programming window (MPW; e15.5–e18.5), late window (LW; e19.5–e20.5). We show that DBP-MPW treatment produces more extensive and severe dysgenetic areas, with more ectopic SC and germ cells (GC) than DBP-FW treatment; DBP-LW induces no dysgenesis. Our findings demonstrate that ectopic SC do not differentiate de novo, but result from rupture of normally formed seminiferous cords beyond e20.5. The more severe testis dysgenesis in DBP-MPW animals may result from the presence of basally migrating GC and a weakened basal lamina, whereas GC migration was minimal in DBP-FW animals. Our findings provide the first evidence for how testicular dysgenesis can result after normal testis differentiation/development and may be relevant to understanding TDS in human patients.
Evaluation of riparian condition of Songhua River by integration of remote sensing and field measurements
Authors: Fu Bolin , Li Ying , Wang Yeqiao , Campbell Anthony , Zhang Bai , Yin Shubai , Zhu Honglei , Xing Zefeng , Jin Xiaomin
Published: May 2017

Riparian zone is crucial to the health of streams and their surrounding environment. Evaluation of riparian condition is essential to achieve and maintain good stream health, as well as to sustain ecological functions that riparian areas provide. This manuscript is aimed to evaluate riparian conditions of Songhua River, the fifth longest river in China, using physical structural integrality (PSI) values derived from remote sensing and validated by field measurements. The variation and clusters of PSI values were discriminated by the spatial statistics to quantify variation of riparian condition in each measurement section. Evaluation results derived from 13 measurement sections indicated that over 60% of the riparian zones have been disturbed by human activities. Analysis of land use patterns of riparian zone in the cold and hot spots found that land-use patterns had an important effect on riparian condition. The build-up and farmland areas had been the main human disturbances to the riparian condition, which were increased from 1976 to 2013. The low-low clusters (low PSI values with low neighbors) of PSI values can be implemented to identify the vulnerability of the riparian zone.
Classical-to-quantum transition behavior between two oscillators separated in space under the action of optomechanical interaction
Authors: Bai Cheng-Hua , Wang Dong-Yang , Wang Hong-Fu , Zhu Ai-Dong , Zhang Shou
Published: May 2017

We propose a scheme to show that the system consisting of two macroscopic oscillators separated in space which are coupled through Coulomb interaction displays the classical-to-quantum transition behavior under the action of optomechanical coupling interaction. Once the optomechanical coupling interaction disappears, the entanglement between the two separated oscillators disappears accordingly and the system will return to classical world even though there exists sufficiently strong Coulomb coupling between the oscillators. In addition, resorting to the squeezing of the cavity field generated by an optical parametric amplifier inside the cavity, we discuss the effect of squeezed light driving on this classical-to-quantum transition behavior instead of injecting the squeezed field directly. The results of numerical simulation show that the present scheme is feasible and practical and has stronger robustness against the environment temperature compared with previous schemes in current experimentally feasible regimes. The scheme might possibly help us to further clarify and grasp the classical-quantum boundary.
Quantitative refractive index distribution of single cell by combining phase-shifting interferometry and AFM imaging
Authors: Zhang Qinnan , Zhong Liyun , Tang Ping , Yuan Yingjie , Liu Shengde , Tian Jindong , Lu Xiaoxu
Published: May 2017

Cell refractive index, an intrinsic optical parameter, is closely correlated with the intracellular mass and concentration. By combining optical phase-shifting interferometry (PSI) and atomic force microscope (AFM) imaging, we constructed a label free, non-invasive and quantitative refractive index of single cell measurement system, in which the accurate phase map of single cell was retrieved with PSI technique and the cell morphology with nanoscale resolution was achieved with AFM imaging. Based on the proposed AFM/PSI system, we achieved quantitative refractive index distributions of single red blood cell and Jurkat cell, respectively. Further, the quantitative change of refractive index distribution during Daunorubicin (DNR)-induced Jurkat cell apoptosis was presented, and then the content changes of intracellular biochemical components were achieved. Importantly, these results were consistent with Raman spectral analysis, indicating that the proposed PSI/AFM based refractive index system is likely to become a useful tool for intracellular biochemical components analysis measurement, and this will facilitate its application for revealing cell structure and pathological state from a new perspective.
Ag-Mg antisite defect induced high thermoelectric performance of α-MgAgSb
Authors: Feng Zhenzhen , Zhang Jihua , Yan Yuli , Zhang Guangbiao , Wang Chao , Peng Chengxiao , Ren Fengzhu , Wang Yuanxu , Cheng Zhenxiang
Published: May 2017

Engineering atomic-scale native point defects has become an attractive strategy to improve the performance of thermoelectric materials. Here, we theoretically predict that Ag-Mg antisite defects as shallow acceptors can be more stable than other intrinsic defects under Mg-poor‒Ag/Sb-rich conditions. Under more Mg-rich conditions, Ag vacancy dominates the intrinsic defects. The p-type conduction behavior of experimentally synthesized α-MgAgSb mainly comes from Ag vacancies and Ag antisites (Ag on Mg sites), which act as shallow acceptors. Ag-Mg antisite defects significantly increase the thermoelectric performance of α-MgAgSb by increasing the number of band valleys near the Fermi level. For Li-doped α-MgAgSb, under more Mg-rich conditions, Li will substitute on Ag sites rather than on Mg sites and may achieve high thermoelectric performance. A secondary valence band is revealed in α-MgAgSb with 14 conducting carrier pockets.
Astronomical age constraints and extinction mechanisms of the Late Triassic Carnian crisis
Authors: Miller Charlotte S. , Peterse Francien , da Silva Anne-Christine , Baranyi Viktória , Reichart Gert J. , Kürschner Wolfram M.
Published: May 2017

The geological record contains evidence for numerous pronounced perturbations in the global carbon cycle, some of which are associated with mass extinction. In the Carnian (Late Triassic), evidence from sedimentology and fossil pollen points to a significant change in climate, resulting in biotic turnover, during a time termed the ‘Carnian Pluvial Episode’ (CPE). Evidence from the marine realm suggests a causal relationship between the CPE, a global ‘wet’ period, and the injection of light carbon into the atmosphere. Here we provide the first evidence from a terrestrial stratigraphic succession of at least five significant negative C-isotope excursions (CIE)’s through the CPE recorded in both bulk organic carbon and compound specific plant leaf waxes. Furthermore, construction of a floating astronomical timescale for 1.09 Ma of the Late Triassic, based on the recognition of 405 ka eccentricity cycles in elemental abundance and gamma ray (GR) data, allows for the estimation of a duration for the isotope excursion(s). Source mixing calculations reveal that the observed substantial shift(s) in δ13C was most likely caused by a combination of volcanic emissions, subsequent warming and the dissociation of methane clathrates.
Investigation of optimal weight gain during pregnancy for Japanese Women
Authors: Nomura Kyoko , Kido Michiko , Tanabe Ayumi , Nagashima Kengo , Takenoshita Shinichi , Ando Kazumichi
Published: May 2017

This study aims to compare the US Institute of Medicine (IOM) and Japanese guidelines proposed by the Ministry and the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity on gestational weight gain (GWG), and to explore the optimal GWG range in Japanese women. We investigated 8,152 Japanese women who had full-term singleton babies between 2010 and 2013 at a single center in Tokyo. Logistic regression models showed that GWG below the recommendation of the IOM and Japanese guidelines was similarly associated with an increased risk of light-for-date (LFD), whereas GWG above these guidelines was similarly associated with an increased risk of heavy-for-date (HFD) in pre-pregnancy body mass index categories of underweight (<18.5 kg/m2, n = 1559), normal-weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2, n = 4998), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2, n = 270), and obese (30 ≤ kg/m2, n = 60). The receiver-operating characteristic curve demonstrated that the optimal cutoffs for LFD and HFD were 9.7 and 10.4 kg, respectively in normal-weight mothers. The IOM and Japanese guidelines identified the risk of LFD or HFD equally well. The optimal GWG range in normal-weight women observed in this study was more close to Japanese guideline (i.e., 7–12 kg) compared to the IOM guideline (i.e., 11.5–16 kg).
A pathway for protective quenching in antenna proteins of Photosystem II
Authors: Papadatos Sotiris , Charalambous Antreas C. , Daskalakis Vangelis
Published: May 2017

Photosynthesis is common in nature, converting sunlight energy into proton motive force and reducing power. The increased spectral range absorption of light exerted by pigments (i.e. chlorophylls, Chls) within Light Harvesting Complexes (LHCs) proves an important advantage under low light conditions. However, in the exposure to excess light, oxidative damages and ultimately cell death can occur. A down-regulatory mechanism, thus, has been evolved (non-photochemical quenching, NPQ). The mechanistic details of its major component (qE) are missing at the atomic scale. The research herein, initiates on solid evidence from the current NPQ state of the art, and reveals a detailed atomistic view by large scale Molecular Dynamics, Metadynamics and ab initio Simulations. The results demonstrate a complete picture of an elaborate common molecular design. All probed antenna proteins (major LHCII from spinach-pea, CP29 from spinach) show striking plasticity in helix-D, under NPQ conditions. This induces changes in Qy bands in excitation and absorption spectra of the near-by pigment pair (Chl613-614) that could emerge as a new quenching site. Zeaxanthin enhances this plasticity (and possibly the quenching) even at milder NPQ conditions.
Tracking Real-Time Changes in Working Memory Updating and Gating with the Event-Based Eye-Blink Rate
Authors: Rac-Lubashevsky Rachel , Slagter Heleen A. , Kessler Yoav
Published: May 2017

Effective working memory (WM) functioning depends on the gating process that regulates the balance between maintenance and updating of WM. The present study used the event-based eye-blink rate (ebEBR), which presumably reflects phasic striatal dopamine activity, to examine how the cognitive processes of gating and updating separately facilitate flexible updating of WM contents and the potential involvement of dopamine in these processes. Real-time changes in eye blinks were tracked during performance on the reference-back task, in which demands on these two processes were independently manipulated. In all three experiments, trials that required WM updating and trials that required gate switching were both associated with increased ebEBR. These results may support the prefrontal cortex basal ganglia WM model (PBWM) by linking updating and gating to striatal dopaminergic activity. In Experiment 3, the ebEBR was used to determine what triggers gate switching. We found that switching to an updating mode (gate opening) was more stimulus driven and retroactive than switching to a maintenance mode, which was more context driven. Together, these findings show that the ebEBR – an inexpensive, non-invasive, easy-to-use measure – can be used to track changes in WM demands during task performance and, hence, possibly striatal dopamine activity.
Detailed Analysis of Kinetic Binding Traces with Distributions of Surface Sites
Authors: Zhao Huaying , Schuck Peter
Published: May 2017

In kinetic surface binding experiments, deviations from the ideal exponential binding traces are commonly observed. Often, these can be attributed to the intrinsic heterogeneity of the binding properties of the immobilized molecules. Surface binding traces can be fitted with a mathematical model consisting of a heterogeneous distribution of surface sites with quasi-continuous affinity constants and kinetic rate constants. It is implemented in the software EVILFIT both for reaction-controlled binding and, if required, with approximate corrections in the onset of mass transport limitation. Statistical tools prevent over-interpretation and highlight the information content of the data. Examples illustrate impact of the choice of surface chemistry on the surface sites, and also factors such as immobilization density and time after immobilization.
Combined Antibody Characterization: High-throughput Ranking, Binning, and Mapping
Authors: Wagner Koen
Published: May 2017

Methods for high-throughput surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for antibody characterization are reviewed. Given the steadily increasing number of antibodies with therapeutic or diagnostic applications, there is a high demand for reliable high-throughput antibody characterization methods. High-throughput methods increase the output of screening experiments, as these allow for quicker screening, and more reliable lead selection. High-throughput SPR methods to perform antibody affinity ranking, selection based on epitope (binning), and epitope mapping with single amino acid resolution are described. Each of these three techniques is explained by means of (at least) one experiment, focusing on both the experimental setup and also the interpretation of results.
Simultaneous determination of ultra-low traces of lead and cadmium in food and environmental samples using dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) combined with ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction based on the solidification of floating organic drop (UAEME-SFO) followed by GFAAS
Authors: Sadeghi Marzieh , Rostami Ehsan , Kordestani Davood , Veisi Hojat , Shamsipur Mojtaba
Published: May 2017

Dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) combined with ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction (UAEME) for determination of lead and cadmium in food and environmental samples prior to GFAAS.
Assessment of nanoparticles’ safety: corrected absorbance-based toxicity test
Authors: Bonvin Debora , Hofmann Heinrich , Mionić Ebersold Marijana
Published: May 2017

A method to correct absorbance-based toxicity tests of nanoparticles by removing the absorbance contribution of nanoparticles to that test.
Excellent peroxidase mimicking property of CuO/Pt nanocomposites and their application as an ascorbic acid sensor
Authors: Wang Xinhuan , Han Qiusen , Cai Shuangfei , Wang Tian , Qi Cui , Yang Rong , Wang Chen
Published: May 2017

Functional CuO/Pt nanocomposites were successfully constructed as peroxidase mimics for highly selective colorimetric detection of ascorbic acid.
Recent liquid chromatographic approaches and developments for the separation and purification of carbohydrates
Authors: Nagy Gabe , Peng Tianyuan , Pohl Nicola L. B.
Published: May 2017

This review highlights current techniques for carbohydrate purification and identifies research gaps.
Formation and dynamics of endoplasmic reticulum-like lipid nanotube networks
Authors: Bilal Taylan , Gözen Irep
Published: May 2017

Phospholipid membranes which are free of curvature-inducing proteins can spontaneously form nanotube networks mimicking the morphology and dynamics of endoplasmic reticulum.
A metal–organic framework as a flask: photophysics of confined chromophores with a benzylidene imidazolinone core
Authors: Dolgopolova Ekaterina A. , Moore Thomas M. , Ejegbavwo Otega A. , Pellechia Perry J. , Smith Mark D. , Shustova Natalia B.
Published: May 2017

Photophysics and dynamics of chromophores with a benzylidene imidazolinone core, responsible for emission of green fluorescent protein variants, were studied as a function of host topology by three approaches.
The first synthesis of Bi self-doped Bi2MoO6–Bi2Mo3O12 composites and their excellent photocatalytic performance for selective oxidation of aromatic alkanes under visible light irradiation
Authors: Song Lu-Na , Chen Lang , He Jie , Chen Peng , Zeng Huang-Kai , Au Chak-Tong , Yin Shuang-Feng
Published: May 2017

Bi self-doped Bi2MoO6–Bi2Mo3O12 composites were first synthesized by a one-step method and they showed excellent photocatalytic performance in the selective oxidation of aromatic alkanes under visible light irradiation.
Ultrafast synthesis of high-silica erionite zeolites with improved hydrothermal stability
Authors: Zhu Jie , Liu Zhendong , Iyoki Kenta , Anand Chokkalingam , Yoshida Kaname , Sasaki Yukichi , Sukenaga Sohei , Ando Mariko , Shibata Hiroyuki , Okubo Tatsuya , Wakihara Toru
Published: May 2017

Ultrafast synthesis of high-silica ERI zeolites by overcoming the charge density mismatch (CDM) barrier using a seeding method.
Dual gold/photoredox-catalyzed bis-arylative cyclization of chiral homopropargyl sulfonamides with diazonium salts: rapid access to enantioenriched 2,3-dihydropyrroles
Authors: Wang Ze-Shu , Tan Tong-De , Wang Cai-Ming , Yuan Ding-Qiang , Zhang Te , Zhu Pengfei , Zhu Chunyin , Zhou Jin-Mei , Ye Long-Wu
Published: May 2017

A novel dual gold/photoredox-catalyzed bis-arylative cyclization of chiral homopropargyl sulfonamides with diazonium salts is presented.
Photo-clickable microRNA for in situ fluorescence labeling and imaging of microRNA in living cells
Authors: Huang Lei , Chen Yingjie , Chen Lei , Xiao Xiao , Wang Xingxing , Li Jinbo , Zhang Yan
Published: May 2017

A photo-clickable microRNA was constructed for in situ fluorescence labeling and imaging of microRNA in living cells with spatiotemporal resolution.
Simulation of intermediate transport in nanoscale scaffolds for multistep catalytic reactions
Authors: Earl Erica , Calabrese Barton Scott
Published: May 2017

Electrostatic interactions are capable of channeling reaction intermediates in catalytic cascades, but simulations predict this is true only for sufficiently high kinetic rates.
Understanding iridium oxide nanoparticle surface sites by their interaction with catechol
Authors: Finkelstein-Shapiro Daniel , Fournier Maxime , Méndez-Hernández Dalvin D. , Guo Chengchen , Calatayud Monica , Moore Thomas A. , Moore Ana L. , Gust Devens , Yarger Jeffery L.
Published: May 2017

We report the first method to quantitatively understand the optical and catalytic properties of IrOx nanoparticles.
Vibrational Stark spectroscopy for assessing ligand-binding strengths in a protein
Authors: Mondal Padmabati , Meuwly Markus
Published: May 2017

Nitrile groups are potentially useful spectroscopic probes in the infrared to characterize the binding and dynamics of ligands in proteins.
Revealing the structure and functionality of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide/pyrene carboxylic acid interfaces by correlative spectral and imaging analysis
Authors: Zaharie-Butucel D. , Potara M. , Craciun A. M. , Boukherroub R. , Szunerits S. , Astilean S.
Published: May 2017

Healing and charge transfer effects at chemically derived graphene interfaces revealed through correlative Raman and two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging.
Covalent-reaction-induced interfacial assembly to transform doxorubicin into nanophotomedicine with highly enhanced anticancer efficiency
Authors: Qin Chenchen , Fei Jinbo , Cui Ganglong , Liu Xiangyang , Fang Weihai , Yang Xiaoke , Liu Xingcen , Li Junbai
Published: May 2017

By one-pot covalent-reaction-induced interfacial assembly, doxorubicin is facilely transformed into nanophotomedicine with remarkable ability of singlet oxygen generation and greatly improved anticancer efficiency.
Competing pathways in the near-UV photochemistry of acetaldehyde
Authors: Toulson Benjamin W. , Kapnas Kara M. , Fishman Dmitry A. , Murray Craig
Published: May 2017

Time-resolved ion imaging measurements have been performed to explore the photochemistry of acetaldehyde at photolysis wavelengths spanning the range 265–328 nm.
Tailoring phase transition temperatures in perovskites via A-site vacancy generation
Authors: Whittle Thomas A. , Brant William R. , Hester James R. , Gu Qinfen , Schmid Siegbert
Published: May 2017

Tetragonal strain squared values for each composition across the Sr0.8Ti0.6−xZrxNb0.4O3, 0 ≤x≤ 0.6, series were used to accurately determine temperature dependent phase transitions (x= 0.6 is shown).