bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Universal slip dynamics in metallic glasses and granular matter – linking frictional weakening with inertial effects
Authors: Denisov Dmitry V. , Lőrincz Kinga A. , Wright Wendelin J. , Hufnagel Todd C. , Nawano Aya , Gu Xiaojun , Uhl Jonathan T. , Dahmen Karin A. , Schall Peter
Published: March 2017

Slowly strained solids deform via intermittent slips that exhibit a material-independent critical size distribution. Here, by comparing two disparate systems - granular materials and bulk metallic glasses - we show evidence that not only the statistics of slips but also their dynamics are remarkably similar, i.e. independent of the microscopic details of the material. By resolving and comparing the full time evolution of avalanches in bulk metallic glasses and granular materials, we uncover a regime of universal deformation dynamics. We experimentally verify the predicted universal scaling functions for the dynamics of individual avalanches in both systems, and show that both the slip statistics and dynamics are independent of the scale and details of the material structure and interactions, thus settling a long-standing debate as to whether or not the claim of universality includes only the slip statistics or also the slip dynamics. The results imply that the frictional weakening in granular materials and the interplay of damping, weakening and inertial effects in bulk metallic glasses have strikingly similar effects on the slip dynamics. These results are important for transferring experimental results across scales and material structures in a single theory of deformation dynamics.
Real-time analysis of arc-induced Long Period Gratings under gamma irradiation
Authors: Esposito Flavio , Ranjan Rajeev , Stăncălie Andrei , Sporea Dan , Neguţ Daniel , Becherescu Nicu , Campopiano Stefania , Iadicicco Agostino
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we present a comparative experimental and theoretical study on gamma radiation sensitivity of Long Period Gratings (LPGs), fabricated by electric arc discharge technique, as monitored in three single mode optical fibers supplied by different manufacturers. A real-time measurement of LPGs’ wavelength shift was performed until a total dose of 35 kGy was reached, with average dose rate of 0.18 kGy/h, the irradiation being done at room temperature. In one case, a maximum radiation sensitivity of 1.34 nm/kGy was recorded for doses up to 0.5 kGy. Moreover, by combining experimental results with numerical simulations, it was found that changes occurred in the core refractive index of the irradiated optical fibers up to 2.5 ∙ 10−5. The increase of the core thermo-optic coefficient up to 1.5 ∙ 10−8/°C was observed as well.
Long-term effects of bisphosphonate therapy: perforations, microcracks and mechanical properties
Authors: Ma Shaocheng , Goh En Lin , Jin Andi , Bhattacharya Rajarshi , Boughton Oliver R. , Patel Bhavi , Karunaratne Angelo , Vo Nghia T. , Atwood Robert , Cobb Justin P. , Hansen Ulrich , Abel Richard L.
Published: March 2017

Osteoporosis is characterised by trabecular bone loss resulting from increased osteoclast activation and unbalanced coupling between resorption and formation, which induces a thinning of trabeculae and trabecular perforations. Bisphosphonates are the frontline therapy for osteoporosis, which act by reducing bone remodelling, and are thought to prevent perforations and maintain microstructure. However, bisphosphonates may oversuppress remodelling resulting in accumulation of microcracks. This paper aims to investigate the effect of bisphosphonate treatment on microstructure and mechanical strength. Assessment of microdamage within the trabecular bone core was performed using synchrotron X-ray micro-CT linked to image analysis software. Bone from bisphosphonate-treated fracture patients exhibited fewer perforations but more numerous and larger microcracks than both fracture and non-fracture controls. Furthermore, bisphosphonate-treated bone demonstrated reduced tensile strength and Young’s Modulus. These findings suggest that bisphosphonate therapy is effective at reducing perforations but may also cause microcrack accumulation, leading to a loss of microstructural integrity and consequently, reduced mechanical strength.
Population genomics of an endemic Mediterranean fish: differentiation by fine scale dispersal and adaptation
Authors: Carreras Carlos , Ordóñez Víctor , Zane Lorenzo , Kruschel Claudia , Nasto Ina , Macpherson Enrique , Pascual Marta
Published: March 2017

The assessment of the genetic structuring of biodiversity is crucial for management and conservation. For species with large effective population sizes a low number of markers may fail to identify population structure. A solution of this shortcoming can be high-throughput sequencing that allows genotyping thousands of markers on a genome-wide approach while facilitating the detection of genetic structuring shaped by selection. We used Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) on 176 individuals of the endemic East Atlantic peacock wrasse (Symphodus tinca), from 6 locations in the Adriatic and Ionian seas. We obtained a total of 4,155 polymorphic SNPs and we observed two strong barriers to gene flow. The first one differentiated Tremiti Islands, in the northwest, from all the other locations while the second one separated east and south-west localities. Outlier SNPs potentially under positive selection and neutral SNPs both showed similar patterns of structuring, although finer scale differentiation was unveiled with outlier loci. Our results reflect the complexity of population genetic structure and demonstrate that both habitat fragmentation and positive selection are on play. This complexity should be considered in biodiversity assessments of different taxa, including non-model yet ecologically relevant organisms.
IL-33/ST2 immune responses to respiratory bacteria in pediatric asthma
Authors: Hentschke Isabell , Graser Anna , Melichar Volker O. , Kiefer Alexander , Zimmermann Theodor , Kroß Bettina , Haag Patricia , Xepapadaki Paraskevi , Papadopoulos Nikolaos G. , Bogdan Christian , Finotto Susetta
Published: March 2017

Here we investigated the relationship between local bacterial colonization and anti-bacterial immune responses in pre-school asthmatic and control children within the EU-wide study PreDicta. In this cohort of pre-school asthmatic children, nasopharyngeal colonization with Gram-negative bacteria such as Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis was found to be associated with the highest interferon beta (IFNβ) and IL-33 levels in the nasal pharyngeal fluids (NPF). IL33R-ST2 was found induced in the blood of asthmatic children with additional Gram + bacteria in the nasopharynx (Gr+/−). Furthermore, asthmatic children had more episodes of infection that required antibiotic therapy than the control group. Treatment with antibiotics associated with reduced ST2 in blood cells of both asthmatic and control children and reduced IL-33 levels in the airways of asthmatic children. In the absence of Staphylococcus (S.) aureus in NPF, antibiotic therapy associated with decreased IL-33 levels in the NPF and lower ST2 values in the blood of control children but not of asthmatic children. These data suggest that, in asthmatic children, Gram- bacteria, which persist after antibiotic therapy, contributes to IL-33 locally and associated with Gr + bacteria colonization in the airways, inhibited IFN-β and in the absence of Staphylococcus (S.) aureus, induced ST2 bearing cells in their blood.
Antithymocyte globulin improves the survival of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome undergoing HLA-matched unrelated donor and haplo-identical donor transplants
Authors: Wang Hong , Liu Hong , Zhou Jin-Yi , Zhang Tong-Tong , Jin Song , Zhang Xiang , Chen Su-Ning , Li Wei-Yang , Xu Yang , Miao Miao , Wu De-Pei
Published: March 2017

Significant advances have been achieved in the outcomes of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) after both HLA-matched sibling donor transplants (MSDT) and non-MSDT, the latter including HLA-matched unrelated donor (MUDT) and haplo-identical donor transplants (HIDT). In this retrospective study, we analyzed the data of 85 consecutive patients with MDS who received allogeneic HSCT between Dec 2007 and Apr 2014 in our center. These patients comprised 38 (44.7%) who received MSDT, 29 (34.1%) MUDT, and 18 (21.2%) HIDT. The median overall survival (OS) was 60.2 months, the probabilities of OS being 63%, 57%, and 48%, at the first, second, and fifth year, respectively. Median OS post-transplant (OSPT) was 57.2 months, the probabilities of OSPT being 58%, 55%, and 48% at the first, second, and fifth year, respectively. The survival of patients receiving non-MSDT was superior to that of MSDT, median OSPT being 84.0 months and 23.6 months, respectively (P = 0.042); the findings for OS were similar (P = 0.028). We also found that using ATG in conditioning regimens significantly improved survival after non-MSDT, with better OS and OSPT (P = 0.016 and P = 0.025). These data suggest that using ATG in conditioning regimens may improve the survival of MDS patients after non-MSDT.
CTCF participates in DNA damage response via poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation
Authors: Han Deqiang , Chen Qian , Shi Jiazhong , Zhang Feng , Yu Xiaochun
Published: March 2017

CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) plays an essential role in regulating the structure of chromatin by binding DNA strands for defining the boundary between active and heterochromatic DNA. However, the role of CTCF in DNA damage response remains elusive. Here, we show that CTCF is quickly recruited to the sites of DNA damage. The fast recruitment is mediated by the zinc finger domain and poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR). Further analyses show that only three zinc finger motifs are essential for PAR recognition. Moreover, CTCF-deficient cells are hypersensitive to genotoxic stress such as ionizing radiation (IR). Taken together, these results suggest that CTCF participate in DNA damage response via poly(ADP-ribosylation).
Notch Ligand DLL4 Alleviates Allergic Airway Inflammation via Induction of a Homeostatic Regulatory Pathway
Authors: Huang Miao-Tzu , Chen Yi-Lien , Lien Chia-I , Liu Wei-Liang , Hsu Li-Chung , Yagita Hideo , Chiang Bor-Luen
Published: March 2017

Notch is a pleiotropic signaling family that has been implicated in pathogenesis of allergic airway diseases; however, the distinct function of individual Notch ligands remains elusive. We investigated whether Notch ligands, Jagged1 and DLL4, exert differential effects in OVA-induced allergic asthma. We found that whilst Jagged1 inhibition mitigated Th2-dominated airway inflammation, blockage of DLL4 aggravated the Th2-mediated asthma phenotypes. Additionally, Jagged1 signaling blockage enhanced IL-17 production and neutrophilic airway infiltration. In vitro, exogenous Jagged1 induced Th2-skewed responses, whereas augmented DLL4 signaling displayed a dual role by promoting expansion of both Tregs and Th17. In vivo, DLL4 blockage impaired Treg differentiation which plausibly resulted in exaggerated asthma phenotypes. On the contrary, administration of DLL4-expressing antigen-presenting cells promoted endogenous Treg expansion and ameliorated the allergic responses. Therefore, whilst Jagged1 induces Th2-skewed inflammation, DLL4 elicits an essential self-regulatory mechanism via Treg-mediated pathway that counterbalances Jagged1-induced Th2 responses and facilitates resolution of the airway inflammation to restore homeostasis. These findings uncover a disparate function of Jagged1 and DLL4 in allergic airway diseases, hinting feasibility of Notch ligand-specific targeting in therapy of allergic airway diseases.
Contribution of engineered nanomaterials physicochemical properties to mast cell degranulation
Authors: Johnson Monica M. , Mendoza Ryan , Raghavendra Achyut J. , Podila Ramakrishna , Brown Jared M.
Published: March 2017

The rapid development of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) has grown dramatically in the last decade, with increased use in consumer products, industrial materials, and nanomedicines. However, due to increased manufacturing, there is concern that human and environmental exposures may lead to adverse immune outcomes. Mast cells, central to the innate immune response, are one of the earliest sensors of environmental insult and have been shown to play a role in ENM-mediated immune responses. Our laboratory previously determined that mast cells are activated via a non-FcεRI mediated response following silver nanoparticle (Ag NP) exposure, which was dependent upon key physicochemical properties. Using bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs), we tested the hypothesis that ENM physicochemical properties influence mast cell degranulation. Exposure to 13 physicochemically distinct ENMs caused a range of mast degranulation responses, with smaller sized Ag NPs (5 nm and 20 nm) causing the most dramatic response. Mast cell responses were dependent on ENMs physicochemical properties such as size, apparent surface area, and zeta potential. Surprisingly, minimal ENM cellular association by mast cells was not correlated with mast cell degranulation. This study suggests that a subset of ENMs may elicit an allergic response and contribute to the exacerbation of allergic diseases.
Epigenetic modifications of interleukin-6 in synovial fibroblasts from osteoarthritis patients
Authors: Yang Fei , Zhou Song , Wang Chuandong , Huang Yan , Li Huiwu , Wang You , Zhu Zhenan , Tang Jian , Yan Mengning
Published: March 2017

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative disease of the synovial joint. The synovial membrane is responsible for the inflammatory reaction leading to the secretion of macrophage-derived pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6. Suppressing IL-6 over-expression in synovial fibroblasts (SF) is a promising method to prevent OA development and progression, in which the prerequisite is the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying IL-6 over-expression in SF. Currently, there are few reports concerning epigenetic modifications in IL-6 in OA SF. In the present study, we attempted to investigate this phenomenon. SF over-expressing IL-6 was collected from OA patients. DNA hypomethylation and histone hyperacetylation were observed in the IL-6 promoter regions in OA SF compared with normal SF. No differences in the status of H3K9 di-methylation, H3K27 tri-methylation and H3K4 tri-methylation were observed in the IL-6 promoter regions between normal and OA SF. DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase 3 alpha (Dnmt3a) overexpression and anacardic acid (histone acetyltransferase inhibitor) treatment increased DNA methylation and decreased histone acetylation in the IL-6 promoter, and IL-6 over-expression in OA SF was suppressed. These observations provide deeper insight into the pathogenesis of OA and can be used to design new drugs and develop new therapeutic methods to treat OA.
Timing of global regression and microbial bloom linked with the Permian-Triassic boundary mass extinction: implications for driving mechanisms
Authors: Baresel Björn , Bucher Hugo , Bagherpour Borhan , Brosse Morgane , Guodun Kuang , Schaltegger Urs
Published: March 2017

New high-resolution U-Pb dates indicate a duration of 89 ± 38 kyr for the Permian hiatus and of 14 ± 57 kyr for the overlying Triassic microbial limestone in shallow water settings of the Nanpanjiang Basin, South China. The age and duration of the hiatus coincides with the Permian-Triassic boundary (PTB) and the extinction interval in the Meishan Global Stratotype Section and Point, and strongly supports a glacio-eustatic regression, which best explains the genesis of the worldwide hiatus straddling the PTB in shallow water records. In adjacent deep marine troughs, rates of sediment accumulation display a six-fold decrease across the PTB compatible with a dryer and cooler climate as indicated by terrestrial plants. Our model of the Permian-Triassic boundary mass extinction (PTBME) hinges on the synchronicity of the hiatus with the onset of the Siberian Traps volcanism. This early eruptive phase released sulfur-rich volatiles into the stratosphere, thus simultaneously eliciting a short-lived ice age responsible for the global regression and a brief but intense acidification. Abrupt cooling, shrunk habitats on shelves and acidification may all have synergistically triggered the PTBME. Subsequently, the build-up of volcanic CO2 induced a transient cool climate whose early phase saw the deposition of the microbial limestone.
Chemical or genetic Pin1 inhibition exerts potent anticancer activity against hepatocellular carcinoma by blocking multiple cancer-driving pathways
Authors: Liao Xin-Hua , Zhang Arina Li , Zheng Min , Li Mei-Qing , Chen Champ Peng , Xu Huijuan , Chu Qing-Song , Yang Dayun , Lu Wenxian , Tsai Ting-Fen , Liu Hekun , Zhou Xiao Zhen , Lu Kun Ping
Published: March 2017

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent and malignant cancers with high inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity. A central common signaling mechanism in cancer is proline-directed phosphorylation, which is further regulated by the unique proline isomerase Pin1. Pin1 is prevalently overexpressed in human cancers including ~70% of HCC, and promotes tumorigenesis by activating multiple cancer-driving pathways. However, it was challenging to evaluate the significance of targeting Pin1 in cancer treatment until the recent identification of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) as a Pin1 inhibitor. Here we systematically investigate functions of Pin1 and its inhibitor ATRA in the development and treatment of HCC. Pin1 knockdown potently inhibited HCC cell proliferation and tumor growth in mice. ATRA-induced Pin1 degradation inhibited the growth of HCC cells, although at a higher IC50 as compared with breast cancer cells, likely due to more active ATRA metabolism in liver cells. Indeed, inhibition of ATRA metabolism enhanced the sensitivity of HCC cells to ATRA. Moreover, slow-releasing ATRA potently and dose-dependently inhibited HCC growth in mice. Finally, chemical or genetic Pin1 ablation blocked multiple cancer-driving pathways simultaneously in HCC cells. Thus, targeting Pin1 offers a promising therapeutic approach to simultaneously stop multiple cancer-driving pathways in HCC.
Gender and Regional Differences in Sleep Quality and Insomnia: A General Population-based Study in Hunan Province of China
Authors: Tang Jinsong , Liao Yanhui , Kelly Brian C. , Xie Liqin , Xiang Yu-Tao , Qi Chang , Pan Chen , Hao Wei , Liu Tieqiao , Zhang Fengyu , Chen Xiaogang
Published: March 2017

Insomnia and the inability to sleep affect people’s health and well-being. However, its systematic estimates of prevalence and distribution in the general population in China are still lacking. A population-based cluster sampling survey was conducted in the rural and urban areas of Hunan, China. Subjects (n = 26,851) were sampled from the general population, with a follow-up using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for interview to assess quality of sleep and Insomnia (PSQI score >5). While the overall prevalence of insomnia was 26.6%, and little difference was found between males (26.3%) and females (27.0%); the mean PSQI score was 4.26 (±2.67), and significant higher in females (4.32 ± 2.70) than males (4.21 ± 2.64, p = 0.003). Individuals in the rural areas tended to report a higher PSQI score (4.45 ± 2.81) than urban residents did (4.18 ± 2.60) (p < 0.001) and the estimates of prevalence of insomnia was 29.4% in the rural areas, significant higher than 25.5% in the urban areas (p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that female gender, older age, higher level of education, being unmarried, living in the rural area, cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking were associated with insomnia. Our study may provide important information for general and mental health research.
Loss of the EPH receptor B6 contributes to colorectal cancer metastasis
Authors: Mateo-Lozano Silvia , Bazzocco Sarah , Rodrigues Paulo , Mazzolini Rocco , Andretta Elena , Dopeso Higinio , Fernández Yolanda , del Llano Edgar , Bilic Josipa , Suárez-López Lucía , Macaya Irati , Cartón-García Fernando , Nieto Rocio , Jimenez-Flores Lizbeth M. , de Marcondes Priscila Guimarães , Nuñez Yaiza , Afonso Elsa , Cacci Karina , Hernández-Losa Javier , Landolfi Stefania , Abasolo Ibane , Ramón y Cajal Santiago , Mariadason John M. , Schwartz Simo , Matsui Toshimitsu , Arango Diego
Published: March 2017

Although deregulation of EPHB signaling has been shown to be an important step in colorectal tumorigenesis, the role of EPHB6 in this process has not been investigated. We found here that manipulation of EPHB6 levels in colon cancer cell lines has no effect on their motility and growth on a solid substrate, soft agar or in a xenograft mouse model. We then used an EphB6 knockout mouse model to show that EphB6 inactivation does not efficiently initiate tumorigenesis in the intestinal tract. In addition, when intestinal tumors are initiated genetically or pharmacologically in EphB6+/+ and EphB6−/− mice, no differences were observed in animal survival, tumor multiplicity, size or histology, and proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells or tumor cells. However, reintroduction of EPHB6 into colon cancer cells significantly reduced the number of lung metastasis after tail-vein injection in immunodeficient mice, while EPHB6 knockdown in EPHB6-expressing cells increased their metastatic spread. Consistently, although EPHB6 protein expression in a series of 130 primary colorectal tumors was not associated with patient survival, EPHB6 expression was significantly lower in lymph node metastases compared to primary tumors. Our results indicate that the loss of EPHB6 contributes to the metastatic process of colorectal cancer.
Antiferromagnetic THz-frequency Josephson-like Oscillator Driven by Spin Current
Authors: Khymyn Roman , Lisenkov Ivan , Tiberkevich Vasyl , Ivanov Boris A. , Slavin Andrei
Published: March 2017

The development of compact and tunable room temperature sources of coherent THz-frequency signals would open a way for numerous new applications. The existing approaches to THz-frequency generation based on superconductor Josephson junctions (JJ), free electron lasers, and quantum cascades require cryogenic temperatures or/and complex setups, preventing the miniaturization and wide use of these devices. We demonstrate theoretically that a bi-layer of a heavy metal (Pt) and a bi-axial antiferromagnetic (AFM) dielectric (NiO) can be a source of a coherent THz signal. A spin-current flowing from a DC-current-driven Pt layer and polarized along the hard AFM anisotropy axis excites a non-uniform in time precession of magnetizations sublattices in the AFM, due to the presence of a weak easy-plane AFM anisotropy. The frequency of the AFM oscillations varies in the range of 0.1–2.0 THz with the driving current in the Pt layer from 108 A/cm2 to 109 A/cm2. The THz-frequency signal from the AFM with the amplitude exceeding 1 V/cm is picked up by the inverse spin-Hall effect in Pt. The operation of a room-temperature AFM THz-frequency oscillator is similar to that of a cryogenic JJ oscillator, with the energy of the easy-plane magnetic anisotropy playing the role of the Josephson energy.
Data-Driven Discovery of Extravasation Pathway in Circulating Tumor Cells
Authors: Yadavalli S. , Jayaram S. , Manda S. S. , Madugundu A. K. , Nayakanti D. S. , Tan T. Z. , Bhat R. , Rangarajan A. , Chatterjee A. , Gowda H. , Thiery J. P. , Kumar P.
Published: March 2017

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play a crucial role in cancer dissemination and provide a promising source of blood-based markers. Understanding the spectrum of transcriptional profiles of CTCs and their corresponding regulatory mechanisms will allow for a more robust analysis of CTC phenotypes. The current challenge in CTC research is the acquisition of useful clinical information from the multitude of high-throughput studies. To gain a deeper understanding of CTC heterogeneity and identify genes, pathways and processes that are consistently affected across tumors, we mined the literature for gene expression profiles in CTCs. Through in silico analysis and the integration of CTC-specific genes, we found highly significant biological mechanisms and regulatory processes acting in CTCs across various cancers, with a particular enrichment of the leukocyte extravasation pathway. This pathway appears to play a pivotal role in the migration of CTCs to distant metastatic sites. We find that CTCs from multiple cancers express both epithelial and mesenchymal markers in varying amounts, which is suggestive of dynamic and hybrid states along the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) spectrum. Targeting the specific molecular nodes to monitor disease and therapeutic control of CTCs in real time will likely improve the clinical management of cancer progression and metastases.
Amyloid precursor protein modulates macrophage phenotype and diet-dependent weight gain
Authors: Puig Kendra L. , Brose Stephen A. , Zhou Xudong , Sens Mary A. , Combs Gerald F. , Jensen Michael D. , Golovko Mikhail Y. , Combs Colin K.
Published: March 2017

It is well known that mutations in the gene coding for amyloid precursor protein are responsible for autosomal dominant forms of Alzheimer’s disease. Proteolytic processing of the protein leads to a number of metabolites including the amyloid beta peptide. Although brain amyloid precursor protein expression and amyloid beta production are associated with the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease, it is clear that amyloid precursor protein is expressed in numerous cell types and tissues. Here we demonstrate that amyloid precursor protein is involved in regulating the phenotype of both adipocytes and peripheral macrophages and is required for high fat diet-dependent weight gain in mice. These data suggest that functions of this protein include modulation of the peripheral immune system and lipid metabolism. This biology may have relevance not only to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease but also diet-associated obesity.
Fluctuation in systolic blood pressure is a major systemic risk factor for development of primary open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Lee Na Young , Jung Younhea , Han Kyungdo , Park Chan Kee
Published: March 2017

We evaluated the risk of development of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in terms of variability in BP using a nationwide, population-based, 11-year longitudinal study using the Korean National Health Insurance Research Database. We included patients who underwent health care examinations more than twice between January 2002 and December 2006. We divided all subjects by the quartiles of variability in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and the difference between SBP and DBP. Of the total of 80,021 included subjects, 910 were diagnosed with POAG between January 2007 and December 2013. Both the Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank test data indicated that patients with higher-level BP variability developed POAG significantly more frequently than did patients with lower-level variability (P < 0.001). On multivariate Cox’s regression modeling including gender, age, sex, household income, smoking status, level of alcohol intake, extent of exercise, diabetes mellitus status, dyslipidemia status, SBP, and DBP; the hazard ratios among the highest and lowest quartiles of SD SBP and CV SBP were 1.256 and 1.238, respectively. Our findings suggest that subjects in the highest quartile of SBP variability were significantly more likely to develop POAG in our population-based sample of Korean adults.
The taste response to ammonia in Drosophila
Authors: Delventhal R. , Menuz K. , Joseph R. , Park J. , Sun J. S. , Carlson J. R.
Published: March 2017

Ammonia is both a building block and a breakdown product of amino acids and is found widely in the environment. The odor of ammonia is attractive to many insects, including insect vectors of disease. The olfactory response of Drosophila to ammonia has been studied in some detail, but the taste response has received remarkably little attention. Here, we show that ammonia is a taste cue for Drosophila. Nearly all sensilla of the major taste organ of the Drosophila head house a neuron that responds to neutral solutions of ammonia. Ammonia is toxic at high levels to many organisms, and we find that it has a negative valence in two paradigms of taste behavior, one operating over hours and the other over seconds. Physiological and behavioral responses to ammonia depend at least in part on Gr66a+ bitter-sensing taste neurons, which activate a circuit that deters feeding. The Amt transporter, a critical component of olfactory responses to ammonia, is widely expressed in taste neurons but is not required for taste responses. This work establishes ammonia as an ecologically important taste cue in Drosophila, and shows that it can activate circuits that promote opposite behavioral outcomes via different sensory systems.
A new malaria vector mosquito in South Africa
Authors: Burke Ashley , Dandalo Leonard , Munhenga Givemore , Dahan-Moss Yael , Mbokazi Frans , Ngxongo Sifiso , Coetzee Maureen , Koekemoer Lizette , Brooke Basil
Published: March 2017

South Africa aims to eliminate malaria within its borders by 2018. Despite well-coordinated provincial vector control programmes that are based on indoor residual insecticide spraying, low-level residual malaria transmission continues in the low-altitude border regions of the north-eastern sector of the country. In order to identify the underlying causes of residual transmission, an enhanced vector surveillance system has been implemented at selected sites in the Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provinces. The collection periods for the data presented are March 2015 to April 2016 for Mpumalanga and January 2014 to December 2015 for KZN. The mosquito collection methods used included indoor and outdoor traps based on the use of traditional ceramic pots, modified plastic buckets and exit window traps (KZN only). All Anopheles funestus species group mosquitoes collected were identified to species and all females were screened for the presence of Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites. Two An. vaneedeni females, one from each surveillance site, tested positive for P. falciparum sporozoites. These are the first records of natural populations of An. vaneedeni being infective with P. falciparum. As both specimens were collected from outdoor-placed ceramic pots, these data show that An. vaneedeni likely contributes to residual malaria transmission in South Africa.
High efficiency quantum cascade laser frequency comb
Authors: Lu Quanyong , Wu Donghai , Slivken Steven , Razeghi Manijeh
Published: March 2017

An efficient mid-infrared frequency comb source is of great interest to high speed, high resolution spectroscopy and metrology. Here we demonstrate a mid-IR quantum cascade laser frequency comb with a high power output and narrow beatnote linewidth at room temperature. The active region was designed with a strong-coupling between the injector and the upper lasing level for high internal quantum efficiency and a broadband gain. The group velocity dispersion was engineered for efficient, broadband mode-locking via four wave mixing. The comb device exhibits a narrow intermode beatnote linewidth of 50.5 Hz and a maximum wall-plug efficiency of 6.5% covering a spectral coverage of 110 cm−1 at λ ~ 8 μm. The efficiency is improved by a factor of 6 compared with previous demonstrations. The high power efficiency and narrow beatnote linewidth will greatly expand the applications of quantum cascade laser frequency combs including high-precision remote sensing and spectroscopy.
Vegetative propagation capacity of invasive alligator weed through small stolon fragments under different treatments
Authors: Peng Xuemei , Li Haiyan , Yang Yunfei , Zhi Heng , Li Chengcheng , Guo Jian
Published: March 2017

The ability to propagate via small diaspores is crucial for the invasion of a clone plant that does not reproduce sexually in its introduced range. We investigated the effects of node and internode adjacent mode, fragment type, burial orientation and position of the node in relation to the soil surface on the sprouting and growth of alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides (Martius) Griseb.). All the factors had effects and interaction effects on the sprouting rate and growth. As a whole fragment in all treatments, the fragments with basal node buried upward on the soil surface, exhibited the best above-ground growth and root growth. The one-node fragment with basal node buried downward above the soil surface and upward under the soil surface significantly decreased the above-ground growth and root growth compared to that of the two-node fragment. Therefore, the one-node fragments were more affected by environmental conditions than the two-node fragments. The results indicated that reducing the number of nodes of a fragment and burying the node under the soil or orienting it downward above the soil surface could be applied to control the invasion of alligator weed.
Second order optical nonlinearity of graphene due to electric quadrupole and magnetic dipole effects
Authors: Cheng J. L. , Vermeulen N. , Sipe J. E.
Published: March 2017

We present a practical scheme to separate the contributions of the electric quadrupole-like and the magnetic dipole-like effects to the forbidden second order optical nonlinear response of graphene, and give analytic expressions for the second order optical conductivities, calculated from the independent particle approximation, with relaxation described in a phenomenological way. We predict strong second order nonlinear effects, including second harmonic generation, photon drag, and difference frequency generation. We discuss in detail the controllability of these effects by tuning the chemical potential, taking advantage of the dominant role played by interband optical transitions in the response.
OM-85 is an immunomodulator of interferon-β production and inflammasome activity
Authors: Dang A. T. , Pasquali C. , Ludigs K. , Guarda G.
Published: March 2017

The inflammasome–IL-1 axis and type I interferons (IFNs) have been shown to exert protective effects upon respiratory tract infections. Conversely, IL-1 has also been implicated in inflammatory airway pathologies such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OM-85 is a bacterial extract with proved efficacy against COPD and recurrent respiratory tract infections, a cause of co-morbidity in asthmatic patients. We therefore asked whether OM-85 affects the above-mentioned innate immune pathways. Here we show that OM-85 induced interferon-β through the Toll-like receptor adaptors Trif and MyD88 in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Moreover, it exerted a dual role on IL-1 production; on the one hand, it upregulated proIL-1β and proIL-1α levels in a MyD88-dependent manner without activating the inflammasome. On the other hand, it repressed IL-1β secretion induced by alum, a well-known NLRP3 activator. In vivo, OM-85 diminished the recruitment of inflammatory cells in response to peritoneal alum challenge. Our findings therefore suggest that OM-85 favors a protective primed state, while dampening inflammasome activation in specific conditions. Taken together, these data bring new insights into the mechanisms of OM-85 action on innate immune pathways and suggest potential explanations for its efficacy in the treatment of virus-induced airway diseases.
Developmental Sex Differences in the Metabolism of Cardiolipin in Mouse Cerebral Cortex Mitochondria
Authors: Acaz-Fonseca Estefanía , Ortiz-Rodriguez Ana , Lopez-Rodriguez Ana B. , Garcia-Segura Luis M. , Astiz Mariana
Published: March 2017

Cardiolipin (CL) is a mitochondrial-specific phospholipid. CL content and acyl chain composition are crucial for energy production. Given that estradiol induces CL synthesis in neurons, we aimed to assess CL metabolism in the cerebral cortex (CC) of male and female mice during early postnatal life, when sex steroids induce sex-dimorphic maturation of the brain. Despite the fact that total amount of CL was similar, its fatty acid composition differed between males and females at birth. In males, CL was more mature (lower saturation ratio) and the expression of the enzymes involved in synthetic and remodeling pathways was higher, compared to females. Importantly, the sex differences found in CL metabolism were due to the testosterone peak that male mice experience perinatally. These changes were associated with a higher expression of UCP-2 and its activators in the CC of males. Overall, our results suggest that the perinatal testosterone surge in male mice regulates CL biosynthesis and remodeling in the CC, inducing a sex-dimorphic fatty acid composition. In male’s CC, CL is more susceptible to peroxidation, likely explaining the testosterone-dependent induction of neuroprotective molecules such as UCP-2. These differences may account for the sex-dependent mitochondrial susceptibility after perinatal hypoxia/ischemia.
Thermal Conductance of the 2D MoS2/h-BN and graphene/h-BN Interfaces
Authors: Liu Yi , Ong Zhun-Yong , Wu Jing , Zhao Yunshan , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Chi Dongzhi , Zhang Gang , Thong John T. L. , Qiu Cheng-Wei , Hippalgaonkar Kedar
Published: March 2017

Two-dimensional (2D) materials and their corresponding van der Waals heterostructures have drawn tremendous interest due to their extraordinary electrical and optoelectronic properties. Insulating 2D hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) with an atomically smooth surface has been widely used as a passivation layer to improve carrier transport for other 2D materials, especially for Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDCs). However, heat flow at the interface between TMDCs and h-BN, which will play an important role in thermal management of various electronic and optoelectronic devices, is not yet understood. In this paper, for the first time, the interface thermal conductance (G) at the MoS2/h-BN interface is measured by Raman spectroscopy, and the room-temperature value is (17.0 ± 0.4) MW · m−2K−1. For comparison, G between graphene and h-BN is also measured, with a value of (52.2 ± 2.1) MW · m−2K−1. Non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) calculations, from which the phonon transmission spectrum can be obtained, show that the lower G at the MoS2/h-BN interface is due to the weaker cross-plane transmission of phonon modes compared to graphene/h-BN. This study demonstrates that the MoS2/h-BN interface limits cross-plane heat dissipation, and thereby could impact the design and applications of 2D devices while considering critical thermal management.
Prognostic factors of palatal mucoepidermoid carcinoma: a retrospective analysis based on a double-center study
Authors: Xu Wenguang , Wang Yufeng , Qi Xiaofeng , Xie Junqi , Wei Zheng , Yin Xiteng , Wang Zhiyong , Meng Jian , Han Wei
Published: March 2017

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the palate is a common malignancy of minor salivary glands. This study was designed to identify the prognostic factors for MEC of the palate. The medical records of patients diagnosed with MEC of the palate who visited the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Nanjing Stomatological Hospital and the Department of Stomatology at Central Hospital of Xuzhou were retrospectively studied. The prognostic factors were determined using a Cox proportional hazards model. Furthermore, the expression of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers CD44, CD133, Nanog and Sox2 were detected in neoplastic samples of these patients by immunohistochemistry. As a result, both univariate analysis and multivariate analysis proved a high histological grade and an advanced tumor stage as negative prognostic factors for overall survival. By immunohistochemistry staining and survival analysis, a combination of CD44/CD133/SOX2 was found to have the strongest prognostic value for palatal MEC patients. In conclusion, the proposed nomogram which include histological grade and tumor stage along with cancer stem cell markers provides a more accurate long-term prediction for palatal MEC patients.
Effect of age on pro-inflammatory miRNAs contained in mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles
Authors: Fafián-Labora J. , Lesende-Rodriguez I. , Fernández-Pernas P. , Sangiao-Alvarellos S. , Monserrat L. , Arntz O. J. , van de Loo F. A. J. , Mateos J. , Arufe M. C.
Published: March 2017

Stem cells possess significant age-dependent differences in their immune-response profile. These differences were analysed by Next-Generation Sequencing of six age groups from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. A total of 9,628 genes presenting differential expression between age groups were grouped into metabolic pathways. We focused our research on young, pre-pubertal and adult groups, which presented the highest amount of differentially expressed genes related to inflammation mediated by chemokine and cytokine signalling pathways compared with the newborn group, which was used as a control. Extracellular vesicles extracted from each group were characterized by nanoparticle tracking and flow cytometry analysis, and several micro-RNAs were verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction because of their relationship with the pathway of interest. Since miR-21-5p showed the highest statistically significant expression in extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells of the pre-pubertal group, we conducted a functional experiment inhibiting its expression and investigating the modulation of Toll-Like Receptor 4 and their link to damage-associated molecular patterns. Together, these results indicate for the first time that mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles have significant age-dependent differences in their immune profiles.
Role of a circadian-relevant gene NR1D1 in brain development: possible involvement in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Goto Masahide , Mizuno Makoto , Matsumoto Ayumi , Yang Zhiliang , Jimbo Eriko F. , Tabata Hidenori , Yamagata Takanori , Nagata Koh-ichi
Published: March 2017

In our previous study, we screened autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients with and without sleep disorders for mutations in the coding regions of circadian-relevant genes, and detected mutations in several clock genes including NR1D1. Here, we further screened ASD patients for NR1D1 mutations and identified three novel mutations including a de novo heterozygous one c.1499 G > A (p.R500H). We then analyzed the role of Nr1d1 in the development of the cerebral cortex in mice. Acute knockdown of mouse Nr1d1 with in utero electroporation caused abnormal positioning of cortical neurons during corticogenesis. This aberrant phenotype was rescued by wild type Nr1d1, but not by the c.1499 G > A mutant. Time-lapse imaging revealed characteristic abnormal migration phenotypes in Nr1d1-deficient cortical neurons. When Nr1d1 was knocked down, axon extension and dendritic arbor formation of cortical neurons were also suppressed while proliferation of neuronal progenitors and stem cells at the ventricular zone was not affected. Taken together, Nr1d1 was found to play a pivotal role in corticogenesis via regulation of excitatory neuron migration and synaptic network formation. These results suggest that functional defects in NR1D1 may be related to ASD etiology and pathophysiology.
Increased circulating β2-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies are associated with smoking-related emphysema
Authors: Hu Jia-yi , Liu Bei-bei , Du Yi-peng , Zhang Yuan , Zhang Yi-wei , Zhang You-yi , Xu Ming , He Bei
Published: March 2017

Smoking is a dominant risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema, but not every smoker develops emphysema. Immune responses in smokers vary. Some autoantibodies have been shown to contribute to the development of emphysema in smokers. β2-adrenergic receptors (β2-ARs) are important targets in COPD therapy. β2-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies (β2-AAbs), which may directly affect β2-ARs, were shown to be increased in rats with passive-smoking-induced emphysema in our current preliminary studies. Using cigarette-smoke exposure (CS-exposure) and active-immune (via injections of β2-AR second extracellular loop peptides) rat models, we found that CS-exposed rats showed higher serum β2-AAb levels than control rats before alveolar airspaces became enlarged. Active-immune rats showed increased serum β2-AAb levels, and exhibited alveolar airspace destruction. CS-exposed-active-immune treated rats showed more extensive alveolar airspace destruction than rats undergoing CS-exposure alone. In our current clinical studies, we showed that plasma β2-AAb levels were positively correlated with the RV/TLC (residual volume/total lung capacity) ratio (r = 0.455, p < 0.001) and RV%pred (residual volume/residual volume predicted percentage, r = 0.454, p < 0.001) in 50 smokers; smokers with higher plasma β2-AAb levels exhibited worse alveolar airspace destruction. We suggest that increased circulating β2-AAbs are associated with smoking-related emphysema.
Mechanisms of direct hydrogen peroxide synthesis on silicon and phosphorus dual-doped graphene: a DFT-D study
Authors: Li Shuo , Lu Zhansheng , Zhang Yi , Ma Dongwei , Yang Zongxian
Published: March 2017

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an important chemical commodity, with demand growing significantly in chemical synthesis due to its green characteristics.
Uranium mobility and accumulation along the Rio Paguate, Jackpile Mine in Laguna Pueblo, NM
Authors: Blake Johanna M. , De Vore Cherie L. , Avasarala Sumant , Ali Abdul-Mehdi , Roldan Claudia , Bowers Fenton , Spilde Michael N. , Artyushkova Kateryna , Kirk Matthew F. , Peterson Eric , Rodriguez-Freire Lucia , Cerrato José M.
Published: March 2017

The dissolution of U-bearing minerals such as coffinite (USiO4) detected in mine wastes (300 to 9000 mg kg−1U) exposed to surface oxidizing conditions can cause the release of U to the Rio Paguate, NM during hydrologic events.
Variable structural colouration of composite interphases
Authors: Deng Yinhu , Gao Shanglin , Liu Jianwen , Gohs Uwe , Mäder Edith , Heinrich Gert
Published: March 2017

Variable structural colouration from red, orange, yellow to green is realised by mechanically tuning a composite interphase region.
Rearrangement of vinyl allene oxide geometric isomers to cyclopentenones. Further computational insights with biologically relevant model systems
Authors: González-Pérez Adán B. , Grechkin Alexander , de Lera Ángel R.
Published: March 2017

A computational study of the rearrangement of vinyl allene oxides of biological relevance, which include alkyl (methyl, propyl) or unsaturated groups (allyl, crotyl) attached to the Csp3 atom has revealed interesting insights into the formation of naturally occurring cyclopentenones.
Characterization of KOH modified biochars from different pyrolysis temperatures and enhanced adsorption of antibiotics
Authors: Huang Hua , Tang Jingchun , Gao Kai , He Ruozhu , Zhao Hang , Werner David
Published: March 2017

Treatment with KOH increased the number of surface functional groups and tetracycline adsorption at 300 °C, whereas it decreased that at 500 and 700 °C.
Realization of uniaxially strained, rolled-up monolayer CVD graphene on a Si platform via heteroepitaxial InGaAs/GaAs bilayers
Authors: Mao Guoming , Wang Qi , Chai Zhaoer , Liu Hao , Liu Kai , Ren Xiaomin
Published: March 2017

We fabricated III–V semiconductor/graphene tubular structures with micrometer scale diameter and realized graphene strain engineering through the change of diameter.
Considerably enhanced perovskite solar cells via the introduction of metallic nanostructures
Authors: Cheng Yu , Chen Cong , Chen Xu , Jin Junjie , Li Hao , Song Hongwei , Dai Qilin
Published: March 2017

Metallic nanostructures are used to improve the perovskite solar cell performance by light scattering, and Au–Ag alloy nanostructures show a considerable enhancement.
Detection of defect populations in superhard semiconductor boron subphosphide B12P2 through X-ray absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Huber S. P. , Gullikson E. , Meyer-Ilse J. , Frye C. D. , Edgar J. H. , van de Kruijs R. W. E. , Bijkerk F. , Prendergast D.
Published: March 2017

Defect populations in B12P2 samples are analyzed through spectroscopic fingerprinting, by simulating the X-ray spectroscopic signatures of crystallographic point defects from first-principles within the density functional theory framework.