bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Room-temperature production of silver-nanofiber film for large-area, transparent and flexible surface electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: Lin Sen , Wang Haiyang , Wu Fan , Wang Qingmin , Bai Xiaopeng , Zu Di , Song Jianan , Wang Dong , Liu Zhenglian , Li Ziwei , Tao Nian , Huang Kai , Lei Ming , Li Bo , Wu Hui
Published: March 2019

A kind of pollution known as electromagnetic interference (EMI), which results from ubiquitous usage of various electronic communication and military radar equipment, has been receiving increasing attention recently. However, large-area EMI shielding on transparent and/or curved surfaces, including building windows, curved glass wall, and special requirements spaces (SRSs), remains hard to achieve. In this paper, a silver nanofiber (AgNF) based flexible and transparent EMI shielding film was successfully assembled via a room-temperature roll-to-roll production method. For transparent application scenario, AgNF with 89% transmittance in visible range and 1 μm thickness shows ~20 dB shielding efficiency (EMI SE). On the other hand, total shielding (>50 dB) is obtained when the thickness of AgNF increases to 10 μm, while its transmittance in visible range remains higher than 75%. Considering the facile and scale-free production technology, this material can be readily applied in large-scale, transparent, and/or SRSs EMI shielding.
A negative correlation between behavioural and physiological performance under ocean acidification and warming
Authors: Laubenstein Taryn D. , Rummer Jodie L. , McCormick Mark I. , Munday Philip L.
Published: March 2019

Many studies have examined the average effects of ocean acidification and warming on phenotypic traits of reef fishes, finding variable, but often negative effects on behavioural and physiological performance. Yet the presence and nature of a relationship between these traits is unknown. A negative relationship between phenotypic traits could limit individual performance and even the capacity of populations to adapt to climate change. Here, we examined the relationship between behavioural and physiological performance of a juvenile reef fish under elevated CO2 and temperature in a full factorial design. Behaviourally, the response to an alarm odour was negatively affected by elevated CO2, but not elevated temperature. Physiologically, aerobic scope was significantly diminished under elevated temperature, but not under elevated CO2. At the individual level, there was no relationship between behavioural and physiological traits in the control and single-stressor treatments. However, a statistically significant negative relationship was detected between the traits in the combined elevated CO2 and temperature treatment. Our results demonstrate that trade-offs in performance between behavioural and physiological traits may only be evident when multiple climate change stressors are considered, and suggest that this negative relationship could limit adaptive potential to climate change.
Hazard potential of perovskite solar cell technology for potential implementation of “safe-by-design” approach
Authors: Bae Su-Yong , Lee Su Young , Kim Ji-wan , Umh Ha Nee , Jeong Jaeseong , Bae Seongjun , Yi Jongheop , Kim Younghun , Choi Jinhee
Published: March 2019

The perovskite solar cell (PSC) is a rapidly advancing solar technology with high efficiencies and low production costs. However, as the PSC contains methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3, MAPbI3) in the light-harvesting active layer, addressing the safety issue of PSCs is an important prerequisite for its commercialization. In this study, the potential hazards of the PSC were investigated with consideration of Pb species released from PSC using an ecotoxicity, cytotoxicity, chronic toxicity, and genotoxicity battery assay. PSC and its degradation products can cause significant toxicity, with PSC being more toxic than the individual degradation products. The order of ecotoxicity and cytotoxicity was found to be Pb2+ > PSC > PbI2 = PbO. Aquatic toxicity of PSC and its degradation products was suggested by Daphnia magna acute, chronic, and genotoxicity results. The current study highlights the non-negligible hazard potentialities of the PSC and its degradation products, as evidenced by our ecotoxicity and cytotoxicity battery assay. Our study indicates that great caution should be taken in the mass production of PSCs and could facilitate proper risk assessment. Based on our study, some considerations on the implementation of the “safe-by-design (SbD)” approach for the sustainable development of PSC technology can be formulated.
X-Ray Nanotomography of Individual Pulp Fibre Bonds Reveals the Effect of Wall Thickness on Contact Area
Authors: Sormunen T. , Ketola A. , Miettinen A. , Parkkonen J. , Retulainen E.
Published: March 2019

Fibre bonds play an essential role in various properties of paper. Much research has focused on their strength, but the determination of the actual contact area also provides a challenge. Many of the research methods rely on optical tools, which are restricted by the wavelength of light that is utilised. Novel X-ray computed tomography devices utilise X-rays in studying the inner structure of materials, and surpass the optical methods in terms of resolution, allowing detection of even smaller details and variations in distance between the fibres in the bond intersection area. X-ray nanotomography was used to image 26 individual cellulose fibre bonds made of springwood and summerwood fibres of refined bleached softwood kraft pulp. Various dimensional properties of the bonds were measured, most importantly the relative contact area (apparent contact area/intersection area), whose values showed wide variation from 6.4 to 85% with an average of 57.7%. Although the summerwood bonds had a somewhat smaller intersection and contact area than springwood bonds, there were no significant differences in the relative contact area between the bond types. This suggests that the effect of relative and absolute contact area on the strength differences between bond types seems to be minor.
Publisher Correction: Parkin-dependent regulation of the MCU complex component MICU1
Authors: Matteucci Alessandra , Patron Maria , Vecellio Reane Denis , Gastaldello Stefano , Amoroso Salvatore , Rizzuto Rosario , Brini Marisa , Raffaello Anna , Calì Tito
Published: March 2019

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.
Author Correction: Applications and efficiencies of the first cat 63 K DNA array
Authors: Gandolfi Barbara , Alhaddad Hasan , Abdi Mona , Bach Leslie H. , Creighton Erica K. , Davis Brian W. , Decker Jared E. , Dodman Nicholas H. , Ginns Edward I. , Grahn Jennifer C. , Grahn Robert A. , Haase Bianca , Haggstrom Jens , Hamilton Michael J. , Helps Christopher R. , Kurushima Jennifer D. , Lohi Hannes , Longeri Maria , Malik Richard , Meurs Kathryn M. , Montague Michael J. , Mullikin James C. , Murphy William J. , Nilson Sara M. , Pedersen Niels C. , Peterson Carlyn B. , Rusbridge Clare , Saif Rashid , Shelton G. Diane , Warren Wesley C. , Wasim Muhammad , Lyons Leslie A.
Published: March 2019

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.
Maternal smoking early in pregnancy is associated with increased risk of short stature and obesity in adult daughters
Authors: Maessen Sarah E. , Ahlsson Fredrik , Lundgren Maria , Cutfield Wayne S. , Derraik José G. B.
Published: March 2019

We assessed anthropometry in 22,421 adult daughters in association with their mothers’ tobacco smoking early in pregnancy (at their first antenatal visit) in Sweden, particularly their risk of short stature and obesity. Adult daughters were grouped by maternal smoking levels during pregnancy: Non-smokers (58.5%), Light smokers (24.1%; smoked 1–9 cigarettes/day), and Heavier smokers (17.4%; smoked ≥10 cigarettes/day). Anthropometry was recorded on the adult daughters at approximately 26.0 years of age. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥30 kg/m2, and short stature as height more than two standard deviations below the population mean. Daughters whose mothers were Light and Heavier smokers in early pregnancy were 0.8 cm and 1.0 cm shorter, 2.3 kg and 2.6 kg heavier, and had BMI 0.84 kg/m2 and 1.15 kg/m2 greater, respectively, than daughters of Non-smokers. The adjusted relative risk of short stature was 55% higher in women born to smokers, irrespectively of smoking levels. Maternal smoking had a dose-dependent association with obesity risk, with offspring of Heavier smokers 61% and of Light smokers 37% more likely to be obese than the daughters of Non-smokers. In conclusion, maternal smoking in pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of short stature and obesity in their adult daughters.
Use of artificial neural networks to identify the predictive factors of extracorporeal shock wave therapy treating patients with chronic plantar fasciitis
Authors: Yin Mengchen , Ma Junming , Xu Jinhai , Li Lin , Chen Guanghui , Sun Zhengwang , Liu Yujie , He Shaohui , Ye Jie , Mo Wen
Published: March 2019

The purpose of our study is to identify the predictive factors for a minimum clinically successful therapy after extracorporeal shock wave therapy for chronic plantar fasciitis. The demographic and clinical characteristics were evaluated. The artificial neural networks model was used to choose the significant variables and model the effect of achieving the minimum clinically successful therapy at 6-months’ follow-up. The multilayer perceptron model was selected. Higher VAS (Visual Analogue Score) when taking first steps in the morning, presence of plantar fascia spur, shorter duration of symptom had statistical significance in increasing the odd. The artificial neural networks model shows that the sensitivity of predictive factors was 84.3%, 87.9% and 61.4% for VAS, spurs and duration of symptom, respectively. The specificity 35.7%, 37.4% and 22.3% for VAS, spurs and duration of symptom, respectively. The positive predictive value was 69%, 72% and 57% for VAS, spurs and duration of symptom, respectively. The negative predictive value was 82%, 84% and 59%, for VAS, spurs and duration of symptom respectively. The area under the curve was 0.738, 0.882 and 0.520 for VAS, spurs and duration of symptom, respectively. The predictive model showed a good fitting of with an overall accuracy of 92.5%. Higher VAS symptomatized by short-duration, severer pain or plantar fascia spur are important prognostic factors for the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy. The artificial neural networks predictive model is reasonable and accurate model can help the decision-making for the application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy.
Revealing the deposition of macrophytes transported offshore: Evidence of their long-distance dispersal and seasonal aggregation to the deep sea
Authors: Kokubu Yutaka , Rothäusler Eva , Filippi Jean-Baptiste , Durieux Eric D. H. , Komatsu Teruhisa
Published: March 2019

The role of coastal macrophyte beds as a carbon sink is under debate. Various studies have provided global estimates of the carbon sequestration and stocks of macrophyte beds; however, the final fate of macrophyte debris exported from coastal beds remains uncertain, and must be determined in order to fully clarify the role of coastal vegetation as a carbon sink. Here we conducted bottom-trawl surveys to investigate the extensive and seasonal aggregation of exported macrophytes on the continental shelf and slope seafloor (40–1,800 m). Sunken macrophytes showed a clear seasonal trend with highest biomasses in summer. This was mainly caused by the most collected macrophyte speciesSargassum horneri. Furthermore, we used numerical simulations to verify the link between sea-surface hydrographic condition and seafloor distribution of sunken macrophytes. Our results showed thatS. horneriaccumulated beneath the Kuroshio Extension current, which is the western boundary current of the North Pacific subtropical gyre. Overall, floating macrophytes that became transported offshore by a stable sea-surface current, such as the western boundary current, constitute an organic carbon pathway from coastal waters to the deep sea. Our findings suggest that these buoyant macrophytes can act as a biological pump to enhance oceanic carbon sequestration.
Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, temperature regulation and the role of heat shock proteins in non-asthmatic recreational marathon and half-marathon runners
Authors: Bekos Christine , Zimmermann Matthias , Unger Lukas , Janik Stefan , Mitterbauer Andreas , Koller Michael , Fritz Robert , Gäbler Christian , Didcock Jessica , Kliman Jonathan , Klepetko Walter , Ankersmit Hendrik Jan , Moser Bernhard
Published: March 2019

Exercise is the most common trigger of bronchospasm. Heat shock protein (HSP) expression was linked to asthmatic patients. The prevalence and pathophysiology of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in non-professional non-asthmatic runners is unknown. We sought to investigate the frequency of EIB and cytokine changes in non-professional non-asthmatic marathon and half marathoners with and without EIB. Testing was performed before the marathon (baseline), immediately post-marathon at the finish area (peak), and 2–7 days after the marathon (recovery): immunosorbent assays for measurement of HSP70, blood count analysis, spirometry and temperature measurements. We experienced a decline in FEV1 of ≥10% in 35.29% of marathon and 22.22% of half marathon runners. Runners with EIB had significantly higher HSP70 serum concentrations at baseline than those without EIB (987.4 ± 1486.7 vs. 655.6 ± 1073.9; p = 0.014). Marathoners with EIB had significantly increased WBC before participating in the competition (7.4 ± 1.7 vs. 6.0 ± 1.5; p = 0.021). After recovery we found increased HSP70 serum concentrations in marathoners with EIB compared to those without (2539.2 ± 1692.5 vs. 1237.2 ± 835.2; p = 0.032), WBC (7.6 ± 1.8 vs. 6.4 ± 1.6; p = 0.048) and PLT (273.0 ± 43.0 vs 237.2 ± 48.3; p = 0.040). At all measured skin sites skin temperatures in runners were significantly lower immediately after participating in the competition when compared to temperature before the race (skin temperature baseline vs. peak: abdominal: 33.1 ± 0.2 vs. 30.0 ± 0.4; p < 0.001; upper arm: 31.6 ± 0.2 vs. 29.4 ± 0.3; p < 0.001; upper leg: 30.7 ± 0.3 vs. 29.4 ± 0.2; p = 0.014; lower leg: 30.6 ± 1.0 vs. 30.2 ± 1.5; p = 0.007). We found a higher than expected number of non-professional athletes with EIB. HSP70 serum concentrations and elevated WBC could indicate a predisposition to EIB.
PEBAX-1657/Ag nanoparticles/7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane complex for highly permeable composite membranes with long-term stability
Authors: Kim Minsu , Kang Sang Wook
Published: March 2019

Poly (ether-block-amide) resin-1657 (PEBAX-1657)/silver nanoparticle (AgNPs)/7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) composite membranes were prepared for olefin/paraffin separation. The long-term performance of composite membranes can be improved by preventing the reduction of silver ions by adding Al(NO3)3 and PEBAX-1657, which has 40% amide groups and 60% ether groups, to the polymer matrix for high permeance. In this study, silver ions were reduced to form nanoparticles to which 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ, electron acceptor) was added to produce long-term olefin carriers. The surface of the AgNPs were modified using electron TCNQ to induce positive charges. The polarized surface of the AgNPs in the PEBAX-1657 permeable polymer matrix interacted with olefins. The membrane was expected to show exceptional separation performance. The results showed that the PEBAX-1657/AgNPs/TCNQ composite membrane exhibited a selectivity of 12.7 and a mixed-gas permeance of 10.2 GPU for durations longer than 76 h. The surface-activated AgNPs were characterized using infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
The neurophysiological correlates of religious chanting
Authors: Gao Junling , Leung Hang Kin , Wu Bonnie Wai Yan , Skouras Stavros , Sik Hin Hung
Published: March 2019

Despite extensive research on various types of meditation, research on the neural correlates of religious chanting is in a nascent stage. Using multi-modal electrophysiological and neuroimaging methods, we illustrate that during religious chanting, the posterior cingulate cortex shows the largest decrease in eigenvector centrality, potentially due to regional endogenous generation of delta oscillations. Our data show that these functional effects are not due to peripheral cardiac or respiratory activity, nor due to implicit language processing. Finally, we suggest that the neurophysiological correlates of religious chanting are likely different from those of meditation and prayer, and would possibly induce distinctive psychotherapeutic effects.
A small molecule Nec-1 directly induces amyloid clearance in the brains of aged APP/PS1 mice
Authors: Yang Seung-Hoon , Shin Jisu , Shin Naewoo Neo , Hwang Ji-Hyun , Hong Sung-Chul , Park Keunwan , Lee Jae Wook , Lee Sejin , Baek Seungyeop , Kim Kyeonghwan , Cho Illhwan , Kim YoungSoo
Published: March 2019

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the formation of toxic amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers and plaques. Considering that Aβ misfolding and aggregation precedes the progressive development of cognitive impairment in AD, investigating a therapeutic means by clearance of pre-existing Aβ aggregates shows promise as a viable disease-modifying treatment. Here, we report that a small molecule, necrostatin-1 (Nec-1), reduces Aβ aggregates back to non-toxic monomers in vitro and in vivo. Intravenous administration of Nec-1 reduced the levels of Aβ plaques in the brains of aged APP/PS1 double transgenic mice. In addition, Nec-1 exhibited therapeutic effects against Aβ aggregates by inhibiting Aβ-induced brain cell death in neuronal and microglial cell lines. Nec-1 also showed anti-apoptotic and anti-necroptotic effects in the cortex of aged APP/PS1 mice by reducing levels of phosphorylated-RIPK3 and Bax and increasing the levels of Bcl-2. According to our data in vitro and in silico, the methyl group of the amine in the 2-thioxo-4-imidazolidinone is the key moiety of Nec-1 that directs its activity against aggregated Aβ. Given that the accumulation of Aβ aggregates is an important hallmark of AD, our studies provide strong evidence that Nec-1 may serve a key role in the development of AD treatment.
Author Correction: Proton irradiation: a key to the challenge of N-glycosidic bond formation in a prebiotic context
Authors: Saladino Raffaele , Bizzarri Bruno M. , Botta Lorenzo , Šponer Jiří , Šponer Judit E. , Georgelin Thomas , Jaber Maguy , Rigaud Baptiste , Kapralov Mikhail , Timoshenko Gennady N. , Rozanov Alexei , Krasavin Eugene , Timperio Anna Maria , Di Mauro Ernesto
Published: March 2019

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.
TRPM2 ion channel promotes gastric cancer migration, invasion and tumor growth through the AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Almasi Shekoufeh , Sterea Andra M. , Fernando Wasundara , Clements Derek R. , Marcato Paola , Hoskin David W. , Gujar Shashi , El Hiani Yassine
Published: March 2019

Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin-2 (TRPM2) ion channel is emerging as a great therapeutic target in many types of cancer, including gastric cancer – a major health threat of cancer related-death worldwide. Our previous study demonstrated the critical role of TRPM2 in gastric cancer cells bioenergetics and survival; however, its role in gastric cancer metastasis, the major cause of patient death, remains unknown. Here, using molecular and functional assays, we demonstrate that TRPM2 downregulation significantly inhibits the migration and invasion abilities of gastric cancer cells, with a significant reversion in the expression level of metastatic markers. These effects were concomitant with decreased Akt and increased PTEN activities. Finally, TRPM2 silencing resulted in deregulation of metastatic markers and abolished the tumor growth ability of AGS gastric cancer cells in NOD/SCID mice. Taken together, our results provide compelling evidence on the important function of TRPM2 in the modulation of gastric cancer cell invasion likely through controlling the PTEN/Akt pathway.
Livestock host composition rather than land use or climate explains spatial patterns in bluetongue disease in South India
Authors: Chanda M. M. , Carpenter S. , Prasad G. , Sedda L. , Henrys P. A. , Gajendragad M. R. , Purse B. V.
Published: March 2019

Culicoides-borne arboviruses of livestock impair animal health, livestock production and livelihoods worldwide. As these arboviruses are multi-host, multi-vector systems, predictions to improve targeting of disease control measures require frameworks that quantify the relative impacts of multiple abiotic and biotic factors on disease patterns. We develop such a framework to predict long term (1992–2009) average patterns in bluetongue (BT), caused by bluetongue virus (BTV), in sheep in southern India, where annual BT outbreaks constrain the livelihoods and production of small-holder farmers. In Bayesian spatial general linear mixed models, host factors outperformed landscape and climate factors as predictors of disease patterns, with more BT outbreaks occurring on average in districts with higher densities of susceptible sheep breeds and buffalo. Since buffalo are resistant to clinical signs of BT, this finding suggests they are a source of infection for sympatric susceptible sheep populations. Sero-monitoring is required to understand the role of buffalo in maintaining BTV transmission and whether they must be included in vaccination programs to protect sheep adequately. Landscape factors, namely the coverage of post-flooding, irrigated and rain-fed croplands, had weak positive effects on outbreaks. The intimate links between livestock host, vector composition and agricultural practices in India require further investigation at the landscape scale.
Expression of plasma membrane calcium ATPases confers Ca2+/H+ exchange in rodent synaptic vesicles
Authors: Ono Yoshiyasu , Mori Yasunori , Egashira Yoshihiro , Sumiyama Kenta , Takamori Shigeo
Published: March 2019

Ca2+ transport into synaptic vesicles (SVs) at the presynaptic terminals has been proposed to be an important process for regulating presynaptic [Ca2+] during stimulation as well as at rest. However, the molecular identity of the transport system remains elusive. Previous studies have demonstrated that isolated SVs exhibit two distinct Ca2+ transport systems depending on extra-vesicular (cytosolic) pH; one is mediated by a high affinity Ca2+ transporter which is active at neutral pH and the other is mediated by a low affinity Ca2+/H+ antiporter which is maximally active at alkaline pH of 8.5. In addition, synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 s (SV2s), a major SV component, have been proposed to contribute to Ca2+ clearance from the presynaptic cytoplasm. Here, we show that at physiological pH, the plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPases (PMCAs) are responsible for both the Ca2+/H+ exchange activity and Ca2+ uptake into SVs. The Ca2+/H+ exchange activity monitored by acidification assay exhibited high affinity for Ca2+ (Km ~ 400 nM) and characteristic divalent cation selectivity for the PMCAs. Both activities were remarkably reduced by PMCA blockers, but not by a blocker of the ATPase that transfers Ca2+ from the cytosol to the lumen of sarcoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum (SERCA) at physiological pH. Furthermore, we rule out the contribution of SV2s, putative Ca2+ transporters on SVs, since both Ca2+/H+ exchange activity and Ca2+ transport were unaffected in isolated vesicles derived from SV2-deficient brains. Finally, using a PMCA1-pHluorin construct that enabled us to monitor cellular distribution and recycling properties in living neurons, we demonstrated that PMCA1-pHluorin localized to intracellular acidic compartments and recycled at presynaptic terminals in an activity-dependent manner. Collectively, our results imply that vesicular PMCAs may play pivotal roles in both presynaptic Ca2+ homeostasis and the modulation of H+ gradient in SVs.
Outpatient versus inpatient care for preterm premature rupture of membranes before 34 weeks of gestation
Authors: Bouchghoul Hanane , Kayem Gilles , Schmitz Thomas , Benachi Alexandra , Sentilhes Loïc , Dussaux Chloé , Senat Marie-Victoire
Published: March 2019

Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is associated with an increased risk of serious maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidities. We compared neonatal outcomes of women with PPROM before 34+0 weeks of gestation according to inpatient or outpatient management policy. 587 women with PPROM >48 hours, 246 (41.9%) in the group with an inpatient care policy (ICP) and 341 (58.1%) in the group with an outpatient care policy (OCP), were identified in France, from 2009 to 2012. Neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups using logistic regression. A second analysis was performed to compare inpatient care and effective outpatient care (discharge from hospital) through propensity score matching. The outcome was a neonatal composite variable including one or more of the neonatal morbidity complications. The perinatal composite outcome was 14.6% with the ICP and 15.5% with the OCP (p = 0.76). After using the 1:1 ratio propensity score matching, effective outpatient care was not associated with a significantly higher risk of the perinatal composite outcome (OR 0.88, CI 0.35 to 2.25; p = 0.80) compared with inpatient care. Outpatient care is not associated with an increased rate of obstetric or neonatal complications and can be an alternative to hospital care for women with uncomplicated PPROM.
Surveillance of cell wall diffusion barrier integrity modulates water and solute transport in plants
Authors: Wang Peng , Calvo-Polanco Monica , Reyt Guilhem , Barberon Marie , Champeyroux Chloe , Santoni Véronique , Maurel Christophe , Franke Rochus B. , Ljung Karin , Novak Ondrej , Geldner Niko , Boursiac Yann , Salt David E.
Published: March 2019

The endodermis is a key cell layer in plant roots that contributes to the controlled uptake of water and mineral nutrients into plants. In order to provide such functionality the endodermal cell wall has specific chemical modifications consisting of lignin bands (Casparian strips) that encircle each cell, and deposition of a waxy-like substance (suberin) between the wall and the plasma membrane. These two extracellular deposits provide control of diffusion enabling the endodermis to direct the movement of water and solutes into and out of the vascular system in roots. Loss of integrity of the Casparian strip-based apoplastic barrier is sensed by the leakage of a small peptide from the stele into the cortex. Here, we report that such sensing of barrier integrity leads to the rebalancing of water and mineral nutrient uptake, compensating for breakage of Casparian strips. This rebalancing involves both a reduction in root hydraulic conductivity driven by deactivation of aquaporins, and downstream limitation of ion leakage through deposition of suberin. These responses in the root are also coupled to a reduction in water demand in the shoot mediated by ABA-dependent stomatal closure.
Extreme thermal fluctuations from climate change unexpectedly accelerate demographic collapse of vertebrates with temperature-dependent sex determination
Authors: Valenzuela Nicole , Literman Robert , Neuwald Jennifer L. , Mizoguchi Beatriz , Iverson John B. , Riley Julia L. , Litzgus Jacqueline D.
Published: March 2019

Global climate is warming rapidly, threatening vertebrates with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) by disrupting sex ratios and other traits. Less understood are the effects of increased thermal fluctuations predicted to accompany climate change. Greater fluctuations could accelerate feminization of species that produce females under warmer conditions (further endangering TSD animals), or counter it (reducing extinction risk). Here we use novel experiments exposing eggs of Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) to replicated profiles recorded in field nests plus mathematically-modified profiles of similar shape but wider oscillations, and develop a new mathematical model for analysis. We show that broadening fluctuations around naturally male-producing (cooler) profiles feminizes developing embryos, whereas embryos from warmer profiles remain female or die. This occurs presumably because wider oscillations around cooler profiles expose embryos to very low temperatures that inhibit development, and to feminizing temperatures where most embryogenesis accrues. Likewise, embryos incubated under broader fluctuations around warmer profiles experience mostly feminizing temperatures, some dangerously high (which increase mortality), and fewer colder values that are insufficient to induce male development. Therefore, as thermal fluctuations escalate with global warming, the feminization of TSD turtle populations could accelerate, facilitating extinction by demographic collapse. Aggressive global CO2mitigation scenarios (RCP2.6) could prevent these risks, while intermediate actions (RCP4.5 and RCP6.0 scenarios) yield moderate feminization, highlighting the peril that insufficient reductions of greenhouse gas emissions pose for TSD taxa. If our findings are generalizable, TSD squamates, tuatara, and crocodilians that produce males at warmer temperatures could suffer accelerated masculinization, underscoring the broad taxonomic threats of climate change.
Postprandial Effects on ENaC-Mediated Sodium Absorption
Authors: Blass Gregory , Klemens Christine A. , Brands Michael W. , Palygin Oleg , Staruschenko Alexander
Published: March 2019

Recent studies have suggested that postprandial increases in insulin directly contribute to reduced urinary sodium excretion. An abundance of research supports the ability of insulin to augment epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) transport. This study hypothesized that ENaC contributes to the increase in renal sodium reabsorption following a meal. To test this, we used fasted or 4 hour postprandial Sprague Dawley rats to analyze ENaC expression and activity. We also assessed total expression of additional sodium transporters (Na+-Cl− cotransporter (NCC), Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter (NKCC2), and Na+-K+-ATPase (NKA)) and circulating hormones involved in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). We found that after carbohydrate stimulus, ENaC open probability increased in split-open isolated collecting duct tubules, while ENaC protein levels remained unchanged. This was supported by a lack of change in phosphorylated Nedd4-2, an E3 ubiquitin ligase protein which regulates the number of ENaCs at the plasma membrane. Additionally, we found no differences in total expression of NCC, NKCC2, or NKA in the postprandial rats. Lastly, there were no significant changes in RAAS signaling between the stimulated and fasted rats, suggesting that acute hyperinsulinemia increases ENaC activity independent of the RAAS signaling cascade. These results demonstrate that insulin regulation of ENaC is a potential mechanism to preserve sodium and volume loss following a meal, and that this regulation is distinct from classical ENaC regulation by RAAS.
A model predicting the PSP toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum occurrence in the coastal waters of the NW Adriatic Sea
Authors: Valbi Eleonora , Ricci Fabio , Capellacci Samuela , Casabianca Silvia , Scardi Michele , Penna Antonella
Published: March 2019

Increased anthropic pressure on the coastal zones of the Mediterranean Sea caused an enrichment in nutrients, promoting microalgal proliferation. Among those organisms, some species, such as the dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum, can produce neurotoxins. Toxic blooms can cause serious impacts to human health, marine environment and economic maritime activities at coastal sites. A mathematical model predicting the presence of A. minutum in coastal waters of the NW Adriatic Sea was developed using a Random Forest (RF), which is a Machine Learning technique, trained with molecular data of A. minutum occurrence obtained by molecular PCR assay. The model is able to correctly predict more than 80% of the instances in the test data set. Our results showed that predictive models may play a useful role in the study of Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB).
Twofold correlation spreading in a strongly correlated lattice Bose gas
Authors: Despres Julien , Villa Louis , Sanchez-Palencia Laurent
Published: March 2019

We study the spreading of correlations in the Bose-Hubbard chain, using the time-dependent matrix-product state approach. In both the superfluid and the Mott-insulator phases, we find that the time-dependent correlation functions generally display a universal twofold cone structure characterized by two distinct velocities. The latter are related to different microscopic properties of the system and provide useful information on the excitation spectrum. The twofold spreading of correlations has profound implications on experimental observations that are discussed.
Development of TEM-1 β-lactamase based protein translocation assay for identification of Anaplasma phagocytophilum type IV secretion system effector proteins
Authors: Zhu Jiafeng , He Meiling , Xu Wenting , Li Yuanyuan , Huang Rui , Wu Shuyan , Niu Hua
Published: March 2019

Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the aetiologic agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium with the genome size of 1.47 megabases. The intracellular life style and small size of genome suggest that A. phagocytophilum has to modulate a multitude of host cell physiological processes to facilitate its replication. One strategy employed by A. phagocytophilum is through its type IV secretion system (T4SS), which translocates bacterial effectors into target cells to disrupt normal cellular activities. In this study we developed a TEM-1 β-lactamase based protein translocation assay and applied this assay for identification of A. phagocytophilum T4SS effectors. An A. phagocytophilum hypothetical protein, APH0215 is identified as a T4SS effector protein and found interacting with trans-Golgi network in transfected cells. Hereby, this protein translocation assay developed in this study will facilitate the identification of A. phagocytophilum T4SS effectors and elucidation of HGA pathogenesis.
The effect of endothelial nitric oxide synthase on the hemodynamics and wall mechanics in murine arteriovenous fistulas
Authors: Pike Daniel , Shiu Yan-Ting , Cho Yun-Fang , Le Ha , Somarathna Maheshika , Isayeva Tatyana , Guo Lingling , Symons J. David , Kevil Christopher G. , Totenhagen John , Lee Timmy
Published: March 2019

Creation of a hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula (AVF) causes aberrant vascular mechanics at and near the AVF anastomosis. When inadequately regulated, these aberrant mechanical factors may impede AVF lumen expansion to cause AVF maturation failure, a significant clinical problem with no effective treatments. The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) system is crucial for vascular health and function, but its effect on AVF maturation has not been fully characterized. We hypothesize that NOS3 promotes AVF maturation by regulating local vascular mechanics following AVF creation. Here we report the first MRI-based fluid-structure interaction (FSI) study in a murine AVF model using three mouse strains: NOS3 overexpression (NOS3 OE) and knockout (NOS3−/−) on C57BL/6 background, with C57BL/6 as the wild-type control (NOS3+/+). When compared to NOS3+/+ and NOS3−/−, AVFs in the OE mice had larger lumen area. AVFs in the OE mice also had smoother blood flow streamlines, as well as lower blood shear stress at the wall, blood vorticity, inner wall circumferential stretch, and radial wall thinning at the anastomosis. Our results demonstrate that overexpression of NOS3 resulted in distinct hemodynamic and wall mechanical profiles associated with favorable AVF remodeling. Enhancing NOS3 expression may be a potential therapeutic approach for promoting AVF maturation.
Impact of smoking on thyroid gland: dose-related effect of urinary cotinine levels on thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity
Authors: Kim Su-jin , Kim Min Joo , Yoon Sang Gab , Myong Jun Pyo , Yu Hyeong Won , Chai Young Jun , Choi June Young , Lee Kyu Eun
Published: March 2019

Cigarette smoking is believed to affect thyroid function and autoimmune thyroid disease. However, there is little information to analyze their association using objective biomarkers. The aim of this study was to investigate the dose-related effect of smoking on thyroid hormones and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO Ab) using urinary cotinine levels and a population-based cohort. The present study used the thyroid hormone and urinary cotinine dataset from sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2014 and 2015, and a total of 4249 participants were included. Dose-response relationships between thyroid hormone (free T4, TSH, and TPO Ab) and urinary cotinine levels were estimated using ANCOVA after adjustment for all variables (age, height, weight, alcohol, exercise, and log- transformed iodine in urine). Urinary cotinine level was negatively correlated with TSH. The estimated coefficients were −0.0711 in males and −0.0941 in females (p < 0.0001). TPO Ab titer was positively correlated with cotinine levels in males (p < 0.0001). Our findings indicated a significant dose-related effect of urinary cotinine level on thyroid function, and thyroid autoimmunity.
Ferroelectrics with a controlled oxygen-vacancy distribution by design
Authors: Noguchi Yuji , Matsuo Hiroki , Kitanaka Yuuki , Miyayama Masaru
Published: March 2019

Controlling and manipulating defects in materials provides an extra degree of freedom not only for enhancing physical properties but also for introducing additional functionalities. In ferroelectric oxides, an accumulation of point defects at specific boundaries often deteriorates a polarization-switching capability, but on the one hand, delivers interface-driven phenomena. At present, it remains challenging to control oxygen vacancies at will to achieve a desirable defect structure. Here, we report a practical route to designing oxygen-vacancy distributions by exploiting the interaction with transition-metal dopants. Our thin-film experiments combined with ab-initio theoretical calculations for BiFeO3 demonstrate that isovalent dopants such as Mn3+ with a partly or fully electron-occupied eg state can trap oxygen vacancies, leading to a robust polarization switching. Our approach to controlling oxygen vacancy distributions by harnessing the vacancy-trapping capability of isovalent transition-metal cations will realize the full potential of switchable polarization in ferroelectric perovskite oxides.
Gold-decorated magnetic nanoparticles design for hyperthermia applications and as a potential platform for their surface-functionalization
Authors: León Félix L. , Sanz B. , Sebastián V. , Torres T. E. , Sousa M. H. , Coaquira J. A. H. , Ibarra M. R. , Goya G. F.
Published: March 2019

The integration of noble metal and magnetic nanoparticles with controlled structures that can couple various specific effects to the different nanocomposite in multifunctional nanosystems have been found interesting in the field of medicine. In this work, we show synthesis route to prepare small Au nanoparticles of sizes  = 3.9 ± 0.2 nm attached to Fe3O4 nanoparticle cores ( = 49.2 ± 3.5 nm) in aqueous medium for potential application as a nano-heater. Remarkably, the resulted Au decorated PEI-Fe3O4 (Au@PEI-Fe3O4) nanoparticles are able to retain bulk magnetic moment MS = 82–84 Am2/kgFe3O4, with the Verwey transition observed at TV = 98 K. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxicity analysis of the nanosystem microglial BV2 cells showed high viability (>97.5%) to concentrate up to 100 µg/mL in comparison to the control samples. In vitro heating experiments on microglial BV2 cells under an ac magnetic field (H0 = 23.87 kA/m; f = 571 kHz) yielded specific power absorption (SPA) values of SPA = 43 ± 3 and 49 ± 1 μW/cell for PEI-Fe3O4 and Au@PEI-Fe3O4 NPs, respectively. These similar intracellular SPA values imply that functionalization of the magnetic particles with Au did not change the heating efficiency, providing at the same time a more flexible platform for multifunctional functionalization.
Using Machine Learning to Measure Relatedness Between Genes: A Multi-Features Model
Authors: Wang Yan , Yang Sen , Zhao Jing , Du Wei , Liang Yanchun , Wang Cankun , Zhou Fengfeng , Tian Yuan , Ma Qin
Published: March 2019

Measuring conditional relatedness between a pair of genes is a fundamental technique and still a significant challenge in computational biology. Such relatedness can be assessed by gene expression similarities while suffering high false discovery rates. Meanwhile, other types of features, e.g., prior-knowledge based similarities, is only viable for measuring global relatedness. In this paper, we propose a novel machine learning model, named Multi-Features Relatedness (MFR), for accurately measuring conditional relatedness between a pair of genes by incorporating expression similarities with prior-knowledge based similarities in an assessment criterion. MFR is used to predict gene-gene interactions extracted from the COXPRESdb, KEGG, HPRD, and TRRUST databases by the 10-fold cross validation and test verification, and to identify gene-gene interactions collected from the GeneFriends and DIP databases for further verification. The results show that MFR achieves the highest area under curve (AUC) values for identifying gene-gene interactions in the development, test, and DIP datasets. Specifically, it obtains an improvement of 1.1% on average of precision for detecting gene pairs with both high expression similarities and high prior-knowledge based similarities in all datasets, comparing to other linear models and coexpression analysis methods. Regarding cancer gene networks construction and gene function prediction, MFR also obtains the results with more biological significances and higher average prediction accuracy, than other compared models and methods. A website of the MFR model and relevant datasets can be accessed from http://bmbl.sdstate.edu/MFR.
A join point regression analysis of trends in mortality due to osteoporosis in Spain
Authors: Dragomirescu Ioana , Llorca Javier , Gómez-Acebo Inés , Dierssen-Sotos Trinidad
Published: March 2019

Osteoporosis is a major health problem in terms of fracture probability and disability. The aim of this ecological study is to identify the temporal trends in osteoporosis mortality in Spain from 1999 to 2015. Data on the Spanish population and number of deaths due to osteoporosis were obtained from the Spanish National Institute for Statistics. Age-adjusted mortality rates were estimated. Join point regression was used to identify the years when changes in mortality s and annual percentage change in mortality rates took place. Women presented a greater mortality rate decrease (p < 0.001), though this mortality difference by sex was reduced by half at the end of the period. The higher the age, the faster the mortality rate declined in women, while no clear pattern could be identified in men. In women, significant changes in trends were identified in three age groups (50–54, 60–64 and 80–84 years old). A sustained decrease in osteoporosis-associated mortality was found in women aged 75–79 and ≥85 years and men aged 60–64. In conclusion, mortality caused by osteoporosis in Spain is decreasing faster in the older age ranges especially in women.
Phylogeny and herbivory are related to avian cecal size
Authors: Hunt Andrew , Al-Nakkash Layla , Lee Andrew H. , Smith Heather F.
Published: March 2019

Avian ceca, a pair of blind sacs arising from the junction of the ileum and colon, are homologous to the cecum in mammals. Cecal size is hypothesized to depend on dietary proclivities and pressures, with faunivorous species having short ceca, whereas herbivorous species have long ceca. Previous tests of this hypothesis, however, did not account for phylogenetic pseudoreplication among closely related taxa. We collated published data on cecal length, dietary category, flying ability, and body mass from 155 avian taxa. Character states were mapped onto a phylogenetic framework, and the permutation tail probability test was used to detect phylogenetic signal in each character. Phylogenetic signal is significant among the characters. As with the cecoappendicular complex in mammals, closely-related birds tend to have similar cecal length. To account for phylogenetic pseudoreplication, we performed phylogenetic generalized least squares regression on cecal length and body mass with dietary category, superordinal-level clade, and flying ability as cofactors. The best-fitting regression model supports the dietary hypothesis for the avian cecum. Among sampled birds of comparable body mass, mean cecal length is significantly longer in herbivorous species than in carnivorous ones (p = 0.008), presumably allowing the extraction of nutrients without the burden of fermenting bulky masses of dietary fiber. Exceptions to this trend, however, suggest that avian ceca are functionally complex and may have additional roles in water balance and nitrogen recycling.
Prenatal Tobacco Exposure Modulated the Association of Genetic variants with Diagnosed ADHD and its symptom domain in children: A Community Based Case–Control Study
Authors: Wang Yanni , Hu Dan , Chen Wenjing , Xue Hongli , Du Yukai
Published: March 2019

The purpose of our study was to test the hypothesis that prenatal tobacco smoking exposure (PSE) could modulate the association of genetic variants with ADHD. A community based case-control study was conducted among Chinese children and 168 ADHD patients and 233 controls were recruited by using combination diagnosis of DSM-IV, SNAP-IV and semi-structured clinical interview. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the effect of prenatal tobacco smoking exposure and genotype frequencies on ADHD susceptibility individually by adjustment for potential confounders. Multiplicative and additive interaction analysis were performed to evaluate the interactions between risk genes and PSE with regard to ADHD. Prenatal tobacco smoke exposure was a significant risk factor of ADHD even after adjusted for other potential confounders. ADRA2A rs553668, DRD2 rs1124491 and SLC6A4 rs6354 were identified to be associated with ADHD. A significant multiplicative and additive gene-environment interactions were observed between the PSE and the ADRA2A rs553668 in relation to ADHD and ADHD-ODD. The risk of the genetic variants in ADHD was increased significantly if the child had prenatal tobacco exposure. The genetic risk for ADHD could be influenced by the presence of environmental risks. The environmental and the genetic risks are not distinct to each other. More gene-environment interaction studies were needed to reveal the etiology of ADHD.