bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of the monolingual and bilingual dictionaries on the lexical errors committed by EFL learners in Hong Kong
Authors: Ng Chi Wui
Published: March 2016

Drawing upon semantic theories and concepts, including argument structure, componential analysis, descriptive meaning, and syntagmatic constraints, the present study analyses the four typical lexical errors committed by EFL learners in Hong Kong identified in a previous study conducted by Chan (TESOL Quarterly 44:295–319, 2010) and investigates whether the lexical information provided inmonolingual and bilingual dictionaries alleviates or aggravates those four errors, respectively. The lexical information in monolingual dictionaries has been discovered to be efficacious in filling the gaps in learners’ lexical knowledge and assisting them in alleviating those errors, whilst that in bilingual dictionaries has been found to be capable of alleviating only the types of errors not influenced by the learners’ L1 but aggravating the errors influenced by the L1. The current study has provided pedagogical implications for the instruction of English vocabulary in the context of Hong Kong, albeit learners’ comprehension of the dictionary entries has to be investigated in the future to verify the findings of the study.
Managing Governmental Business Relationships: The Impact of Organisational Culture Difference and Compatibility
Authors: Lu Vinh Nhat , Plewa Carolin , Ho Joanne
Published: March 2016

Public administration requires close cooperation between many actors within a network of governmental departments, agencies and external stakeholders. Reflecting on these critical interrelationships, we investigate the impact of the related yet under-researched concepts of organisational culture difference and organisational culture compatibility on relationship outcomes in a public sector setting. The research hypotheses draw on the prolific relationship marketing and organisational culture literature streams and an exploratory study. Data gathered on the relationships between public sector agencies and their business partners show perceived organisational culture difference negatively influences relationship performance, with perceived compatibility directly and positively impacting both performance and the certainty of the relationship future.
Online Marketing Communications and Childhood's Intention to Consume Unhealthy Food
Authors: Thaichon Paramaporn , Quach Thu Nguyen
Published: March 2016

This study investigates the impact of online advertising on social network sites on children's intention to consume fast food in Australia. The study adopted a qualitative, inductive approach to data collection using a sample of 30 Australian children who use social network sites and their parents. It was found that fast food advertisements on social networking sites could manipulate the young audience members in terms of their purchasing likelihood, views on fast food, and eating habits. The results from the interviews also indicated that peer pressure is an important element of online communications on social networking sites. By showing their advertisements to a group of young consumers, companies can create a sense of socialization and associate their product with a community. This study is one of the first to consider broad aspects of children's perception of marketing communications on social networking sites in the context of the fast food industry.
There Could be More to Marketing than you Might Have Thought! an Invited Paper, by Professor Roger Layton
Authors: Layton Roger Alexander
Published: March 2016

Is marketing a management technology, a societal provisioning system, or the study of seller and buyer decision processes in increasingly complex contexts, or could it be repositioned as a discipline within the social sciences? Could repositioning avert the growing fragmentation of marketing scholarship? Would it open up new opportunities for significant research in and between these different ways of seeing our discipline? And would perhaps the right repositioning engage marketing with adjacent social sciences in explorations opening up new fields of research, influencing management choice and public policy in the challenges human communities face at all levels? One possible positioning that offers a positive response to these questions is to assert, “Marketing is the study of value co-creation through voluntary economic choice made in exchanges among individuals and entities in and between human communities.” This positioning includes studies in manager and customer choice, work in societal provisioning systems in communities at any and all levels of development, and the growing interests in culture and communication. Links with anthropology, archaeology, history, sociology and economics are then explored. Drawing on empirical work in marketing and in adjacent disciplines the core elements of a dynamic theory of evolutionary change in exchange networks and marketing systems are identified, providing a possible starting point for an exploration of the marketing response to the difficult and complex challenges faced by human communities across the world.
Plasma sphingolipid changes with autopsy‐confirmed Lewy body or Alzheimer's pathology
Authors: Savica Rodolfo , Murray Melissa E. , Persson Xuan‐Mai , Kantarci Kejal , Parisi Joseph E. , Dickson Dennis W. , Petersen Ronald C. , Ferman Tanis J. , Boeve Bradley F. , Mielke Michelle M.
Published: March 2016

Introduction

The clinical and pathological phenotypes of Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) often overlap. We examined whether plasma lipids differed among individuals with autopsy‐confirmed Lewy Body pathology or AD pathology.

Methods

We identified four groups with available plasma 2 years before death: high (n = 12) and intermediate‐likelihood DLB (n = 14) based on the third report of the DLB consortium; dementia with Alzheimer's pathology (AD; n = 18); and cognitively normal with normal aging pathology (n = 21). Lipids were measured using ESI/MS/MS.

Results

There were overall group differences in plasma ceramides C16:0, C18:1, C20:0, and C24:1 and monohexosylceramides C18:1 and C24:1. These lipids did not differ between the high‐likelihood DLB and AD groups, but both groups had higher levels than normals. Plasma fatty acid levels did not differ by group.

Discussion

Plasma ceramides and monohexosylceramides are elevated in people with dementia with either high‐likelihood DLB or AD pathology.
Self-similarity of the large-scale motions in turbulent pipe flow
Authors: Hellström Leo H. O. , Marusic Ivan , Smits Alexander J.
Published: March 2016

Townsend’s attached eddy hypothesis assumes the existence of a set of energetic and geometrically self-similar eddies in the logarithmic layer in wall-bounded turbulent flows, which can be scaled with their distance to the wall. To examine the possible self-similarity of the energetic eddies in fully developed turbulent pipe flow, we performed stereo particle image velocimetry measurements together with a proper orthogonal decomposition analysis. For two Reynolds numbers, $Re_{{\it\tau}}=1330$ and 2460, the resulting modes/eddies were shown to exhibit self-similar behaviour for eddies with wall-normal length scales spanning a decade. This single length scale provides a complete description of the cross-sectional shape of the self-similar eddies.
Gitksan
Authors: Brown Jason , Davis Henry , Schwan Michael , Sennott Barbara
Published: March 2016

Gitksan (git) is an Interior Tsimshianic language spoken in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is closely related to Nisga'a, and more distantly related to Coast Tsimshian and Southern Tsimshian. The specific dialect of Gitksan presented here is what can be called Eastern Gitksan, spoken in the villages of Kispiox (Ansbayaxw), Glen Vowell (Sigit'ox), and Hazelton (Git-an'maaxs), which contrasts with the Western dialects, spoken in the villages of Kitwanga (Gitwingax), Gitanyow (Git-anyaaw), and Kitseguecla (Gijigyukwhla). The primary phonological differences between the dialects are a lexical shift in vowels and the presence of stop lenition in the Eastern dialects. While there exists a dialect continuum, the primary cultural and political distinction drawn is between Eastern and Western Gitksan. For reference, Gitksan is bordered on the west by Nisga'a, in the south by Coast Tsimshian and Witsuwit'en, in the east by Dakelh and Sekani, and in the north by Tahltan (the latter four of these being Athabaskan languages).
Prosodic disambiguation of noun/verb homophones in child-directed speech
Authors: CONWELL ERIN
Published: March 2016

One strategy that children might use to sort words into grammatical categories such asnounandverbisdistributional bootstrapping, in which local co-occurrence information is used to distinguish between categories. Words that can be used in more than one grammatical category could be problematic for this approach. Using naturalistic corpus data, this study asks whether noun and verb uses of ambiguous words might differ prosodically as a function of their grammatical category in child-directed speech. The results show that noun and verb uses of ambiguous words in sentence-medial positions do differ from one another in terms of duration, vowel duration, pitch change, and vowel quality measures. However, sentence-final tokens are not different as a function of the category in which they were used. The availability of prosodic cues to category in natural child-directed speech could allow learners using a distributional bootstrapping approach to avoid conflating grammatical categories.
Added sugar intake and metabolic syndrome in US adolescents: cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2012
Authors: Rodríguez Luis A , Madsen Kristine A , Cotterman Carolyn , Lustig Robert H
Published: March 2016

Objective

To examine the association between added sugar intake and metabolic syndrome among adolescents.

Design

Dietary, serum biomarker, anthropometric and physical activity data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles between 2005 and 2012 were analysed using multivariate logistic regression models. Added sugar intake in grams per day was estimated from two 24 h standardized dietary recalls and then separated into quintiles from lowest to highest consumption. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were adjusted for physical activity, age, BMI Z-score and energy intake, and their interactions with race were included.

Setting

Nationally representative sample, USA.

Subjects

US adolescents aged 12–19 years (n 1623).

Results

Added sugar was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome. The adjusted prevalence odds ratios for having metabolic syndrome comparing adolescents in the third, fourth and fifth quintiles v. those in the lowest quintile of added sugar were 5·3 (95 % CI 1·4, 20·6), 9·9 (95 % CI 1·9, 50·9) and 8·7 (95 % CI 1·4, 54·9), respectively.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that higher added sugar intake, independent of total energy intake, physical activity or BMI Z-score, is associated with increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome in US adolescents. Further studies are needed to determine if reducing intake of added sugar may help US adolescents prevent or reverse metabolic syndrome.
China–Rare Earths: Export Restrictions and the Limits of Textual Interpretation
Authors: BOND ERIC W. , TRACHTMAN JOEL
Published: March 2016

The China–Rare Earths decision of the Appellate Body addressed two main issues: (i) whether China's obligations not to impose export duties under its accession protocol are subject to exceptions under Article XX of GATT, and (ii) the scope of the exception for China's export quota measures relating to conservation under Article XX(g) of GATT. In accord with its China–Raw Materials decision, the Appellate Body found that there is no textual basis for the application of the Article XX exception to China's export duty obligations. This interpretation exalted a narrow contextual approach over an approach to interpretation that would focus on broader context, object, and purpose. The Appellate Body also approved the Panel's overall approach to determining the availability of the Article XX(g) exception. This approach focused on the design and structure of China's quota measure, but left unresolved important issues, including the extent to which non-conservation purposes may prevent use of the exception and the role of empirical evidence of effects in these determinations. While the Appellate Body found that there is no ‘even-handedness’ requirement in Article XX(g) itself, we argue that the chapeau's requirement of non-discrimination is an appropriate additional criterion for determining whether a policy with a target of reducing extraction of a natural resource satisfies the requirements of Article XX.
Bird Flu, the OIE, and National Regulation: The WTO's India–Agricultural Products Dispute
Authors: BOWN CHAD P. , HILLMAN JENNIFER A.
Published: March 2016

This paper provides a legal-economic assessment of issues arising in the Panel Report over the WTO's India–Agricultural Products dispute, one of a growing list of disputes arising at the intersection of the WTO and domestic regulatory policy over human, animal, or plant health. This dispute featured allegations that India's import measures applied against avian influenza- (AI-) infected countries over poultry and related products were too restrictive, in light of the World Organisation for Animal Health's (OIE's) scientifically motivated standards and guidelines. We rely on insights from a set of economic models of commercial poultry markets in the presence of negative externalities such as AI. We use such models to motivate critical tradeoffs arising at the intersection of government regulatory regimes designed to deal with AI and how they fit alongside trade agreements such as the WTO and standard-setting bodies such as the OIE, which combine to impose constraints on regulatory and trade policy. While we find the institutional design of the OIE to be well-motivated and we are in broad agreement with the overall thrust of the Panel Report in the dispute, we also highlight a number of subtle issues which pose long-term challenges for the multilateral trading system's ability to balance trade rules with public health concerns.
China–Autos:Haven't We Danced this Dance Before?
Authors: MITCHELL ANDREW D. , PRUSA THOMAS J.
Published: March 2016

Just as it had in several recent similar disputes, the Panel inChina–Autosfound several of the challenged issues WTO-inconsistent. We believe virtually all of the deficiencies noted by the Panel could be easily addressed with minor changes to MOFCOM practices. The real significance of this dispute lies in what it tell us about the larger trade policy dance between the US and China. On the one hand, with the series of related WTO disputes the US has demonstrated that China must comply with WTO rules. The more vexing challenge, however, is the apparent tit-for-tat motivation for this and other recent Chinese trade policies, and on this point this dispute does little to change the calculus. The prospective nature of WTO relief makes it almost impossible for the WTO to discourage the type of opportunistic protectionist actions exemplified by this case.
A Helitron transposon reconstructed from bats reveals a novel mechanism of genome shuffling in eukaryotes
Authors: Grabundzija Ivana , Messing Simon A. , Thomas Jainy , Cosby Rachel L. , Bilic Ilija , Miskey Csaba , Gogol-Döring Andreas , Kapitonov Vladimir , Diem Tanja , Dalda Anna , Jurka Jerzy , Pritham Ellen J. , Dyda Fred , Izsvák Zsuzsanna , Ivics Zoltán
Published: March 2016

Helitron transposons capture and mobilize gene fragments in eukaryotes, but experimental evidence for their transposition is lacking in the absence of an isolated active element. Here we reconstruct Helraiser, an ancient element from the bat genome, and use this transposon as an experimental tool to unravel the mechanism of Helitron transposition. A hairpin close to the 3′-end of the transposon functions as a transposition terminator. However, the 3′-end can be bypassed by the transposase, resulting in transduction of flanking sequences to new genomic locations. Helraiser transposition generates covalently closed circular intermediates, suggestive of a replicative transposition mechanism, which provides a powerful means to disseminate captured transcriptional regulatory signals across the genome. Indeed, we document the generation of novel transcripts by Helitron promoter capture both experimentally and by transcriptome analysis in bats. Our results provide mechanistic insight into Helitron transposition, and its impact on diversification of gene function by genome shuffling.
GSG1L suppresses AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission and uniquely modulates AMPA receptor kinetics in hippocampal neurons
Authors: Gu Xinglong , Mao Xia , Lussier Marc P. , Hutchison Mary Anne , Zhou Liang , Hamra F. Kent , Roche Katherine W. , Lu Wei
Published: March 2016

Regulation of AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated synaptic transmission is a key mechanism for synaptic plasticity. In the brain, AMPARs assemble with a number of auxiliary subunits, including TARPs, CNIHs and CKAMP44, which are important for AMPAR forward trafficking to synapses. Here we report that the membrane protein GSG1L negatively regulates AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission. Overexpression of GSG1L strongly suppresses, and GSG1L knockout (KO) enhances, AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission. GSG1L-dependent regulation of AMPAR synaptic transmission relies on the first extracellular loop domain and its carboxyl-terminus. GSG1L also speeds up AMPAR deactivation and desensitization in hippocampal CA1 neurons, in contrast to the effects of TARPs and CNIHs. Furthermore, GSG1L association with AMPARs inhibits CNIH2-induced slowing of the receptors in heterologous cells. Finally, GSG1L KO rats have deficits in LTP and show behavioural abnormalities in object recognition tests. These data demonstrate that GSG1L represents a new class of auxiliary subunit with distinct functional properties for AMPARs.
Hydrogen Sulfide Recruits Macrophage Migration by Integrin β1-Src-FAK/Pyk2-Rac Pathway in Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Miao Lei , Xin Xiaoming , Xin Hong , Shen Xiaoyan , Zhu Yi-Zhun
Published: March 2016

Myocardial infarction (MI) triggers an inflammatory reaction, in which macrophages are of key importance for tissue repairing. Infiltration and/or migration of macrophages into the infarct area early after MI is critical for infarct healing, vascularization and cardiac function. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been demonstrated to possess cardioprotective effects post MI and during the progress of cardiac remodeling. However, the specific molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in macrophage recruitment by H2S remain to be identified. In this study, the NaHS (exogenous sources of H2S) treatment exerted an increased infiltration of macrophages into the infarcted myocardium at early stage of MI cardiac tissues in both wild type (WT) and cystathionine-γ-lyase-knockout (CSE-KO) mice. And NaHS accelerated the migration of macrophage cells in vitro. While, the inhibitors not only significantly diminished the migratory ability in response to NaHS, but also blocked the activation of phospho-Src, -Pyk2, -FAK397 and -FAK925. Furthermore, NaHS induced the internalization of integrin β1 on macrophage surface, but, integrin β1 silencing inhibited macrophage migration and Src signaling activation. These results indicate that H2S may have the potential as an anti-infarct of MI by governing macrophage migration, which was achieved by accelerating internalization of integrin β1 and activating downstream Src-FAK/Pyk2-Rac pathway.
Quantifying Demyelination in NK venom treated nerve using its electric circuit model
Authors: Das H. K. , Das D. , Doley R. , Sahu P. P.
Published: March 2016

Reduction of myelin in peripheral nerve causes critical demyelinating diseases such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, etc. Clinical monitoring of these diseases requires rapid and non-invasive quantification of demyelination. Here we have developed formulation of nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in terms of demyelination considering electric circuit model of a nerve having bundle of axons for its quantification from NCV measurements. This approach has been validated and demonstrated with toad nerve model treated with crude Naja kaouthia (NK) venom and also shows the effect of Phospholipase A2 and three finger neurotoxin from NK-venom on peripheral nerve. This opens future scope for non-invasive clinical measurement of demyelination.
N-terminal domain of Bothrops asper Myotoxin II Enhances the Activity of Endothelin Converting Enzyme-1 and Neprilysin
Authors: Smith A. Ian , Rajapakse Niwanthi W. , Kleifeld Oded , Lomonte Bruno , Sikanyika Nkumbu L. , Spicer Alexander J. , Hodgson Wayne C. , Conroy Paul J. , Small David H. , Kaye David M. , Parkington Helena C. , Whisstock James C. , Kuruppu Sanjaya
Published: March 2016

Neprilysin (NEP) and endothelin converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) are two enzymes that degrade amyloid beta in the brain. Currently there are no molecules to stimulate the activity of these enzymes. Here we report, the discovery and characterisation of a peptide referred to as K49-P1-20, from the venom of Bothrops asper which directly enhances the activity of both ECE-1 and NEP. This is evidenced by a 2- and 5-fold increase in the Vmax of ECE-1 and NEP respectively. The K49-P1-20 concentration required to achieve 50% of maximal stimulation (AC50) of ECE-1 and NEP was 1.92 ± 0.07 and 1.33 ± 0.12 μM respectively. Using BLITZ biolayer interferometry we have shown that K49-P1-20 interacts directly with each enzyme. Intrinsic fluorescence of the enzymes change in the presence of K49-P1-20 suggesting a change in conformation. ECE-1 mediated reduction in the level of endogenous soluble amyloid beta 42 in cerebrospinal fluid is significantly higher in the presence of K49-P1-20 (31 ± 4% of initial) compared with enzyme alone (11 ± 5% of initial; N = 8, P = 0.005, unpaired t-test). K49-P1-20 could be an excellent research tool to study mechanism(s) of enzyme stimulation, and a potential novel drug lead in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
Effect of intermittent feedback control on robustness of human-like postural control system
Authors: Tanabe Hiroko , Fujii Keisuke , Suzuki Yasuyuki , Kouzaki Motoki
Published: March 2016

Humans have to acquire postural robustness to maintain stability against internal and external perturbations. Human standing has been recently modelled using an intermittent feedback control. However, the causality inside of the closed-loop postural control system associated with the neural control strategy is still unknown. Here, we examined the effect of intermittent feedback control on postural robustness and of changes in active/passive components on joint coordinative structure. We implemented computer simulation of a quadruple inverted pendulum that is mechanically close to human tiptoe standing. We simulated three pairs of joint viscoelasticity and three choices of neural control strategies for each joint: intermittent, continuous, or passive control. We examined postural robustness for each parameter set by analysing the region of active feedback gain. We found intermittent control at the hip joint was necessary for model stabilisation and model parameters affected the robustness of the pendulum. Joint sways of the pendulum model were partially smaller than or similar to those of experimental data. In conclusion, intermittent feedback control was necessary for the stabilisation of the quadruple inverted pendulum. Also, postural robustness of human-like multi-link standing would be achieved by both passive joint viscoelasticity and neural joint control strategies.
Caveolin interaction governs Kv1.3 lipid raft targeting
Authors: Pérez-Verdaguer Mireia , Capera Jesusa , Martínez-Mármol Ramón , Camps Marta , Comes Núria , Tamkun Michael M. , Felipe Antonio
Published: March 2016

The spatial localization of ion channels at the cell surface is crucial for their functional role. Many channels localize in lipid raft microdomains, which are enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids. Caveolae, specific lipid rafts which concentrate caveolins, harbor signaling molecules and their targets becoming signaling platforms crucial in cell physiology. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in such spatial localization are under debate. Kv1.3 localizes in lipid rafts and participates in the immunological response. We sought to elucidate the mechanisms of Kv1.3 surface targeting, which govern leukocyte physiology. Kv1 channels share a putative caveolin-binding domain located at the intracellular N-terminal of the channel. This motif, lying close to the S1 transmembrane segment, is situated near the T1 tetramerization domain and the determinants involved in the Kvβ subunit association. The highly hydrophobic domain (FQRQVWLLF) interacts with caveolin 1 targeting Kv1.3 to caveolar rafts. However, subtle variations of this cluster, putative ancillary associations and different structural conformations can impair the caveolin recognition, thereby altering channel’s spatial localization. Our results identify a caveolin-binding domain in Kv1 channels and highlight the mechanisms that govern the regulation of channel surface localization during cellular processes.
A novel dinuclear iridium(III) complex as a G-quadruplex-selective probe for the luminescent switch-on detection of transcription factor HIF-1α
Authors: Lu Lihua , Wang Modi , Mao Zhifeng , Kang Tian-Shu , Chen Xiu-Ping , Lu Jin-Jian , Leung Chung-Hang , Ma Dik-Lung
Published: March 2016

A novel dinuclear Ir(III) complex 5 was discovered to be specific to G-quadruplex DNA and was utilized in a label-free G-quadruplex-based detection platform for transcription factor activity. The principle of this assay was demonstrated by using HIF-1α as a model protein. Moreover, this HIF-1α detection assay exhibited potential use for biological sample analysis.
Premature termination codons in modern human genomes
Authors: Fujikura Kohei
Published: March 2016

The considerable range of genetic variation in human populations may partly reflect distinctive processes of adaptation to variable environmental conditions. However, the adaptive genomic signatures remain to be completely elucidated. This research explores candidate loci under selection at the population level by characterizing recently arisen premature termination codons (PTCs), some of which indicate a human knockout. From a total of 7595 participants from two population exome projects, 246 PTCs were found where natural selection has resulted in new alleles with a high frequency (from 1% to 96%) of derived alleles and various levels of population differentiation (FST = 0.00139–0.626). The PTC genes formed protein and regulatory networks limited to 15 biological processes or gene families, of which seven categories were previously unreported. PTC mutations have a strong tendency to be introduced into members of the same gene family, even during modern human evolution, although the exact nature of the selection is not fully known. The findings here suggest the ongoing evolutionary plasticity of modern humans at the genetic level and also partly provide insights into common human knockouts.
Selective regulation of YB-1 mRNA translation by the mTOR signaling pathway is not mediated by 4E-binding protein
Authors: Lyabin D. N. , Ovchinnikov L. P.
Published: March 2016

The Y-box binding protein 1 (YB-1) is a key regulator of gene expression at the level of both translation and transcription. The mode of its action on cellular events depends on its subcellular distribution and the amount in the cell. So far, the regulatory mechanisms of YB-1 synthesis have not been adequately studied. Our previous finding was that selective inhibition of YB-1 mRNA translation was caused by suppression of activity of the mTOR signaling pathway. It was suggested that this event may be mediated by phosphorylation of the 4E-binding protein (4E-BP). Here, we report that 4E-BP alone can only slightly inhibit YB-1 synthesis both in the cell and in vitro, although it essentially decreases binding of the 4F-group translation initiation factors to mRNA. With inhibited mTOR kinase, the level of mRNA binding to the eIF4F-group factors was decreased, while that to 4E-BP1 was increased, as was observed for both mTOR kinase-sensitive mRNAs and those showing low sensitivity. This suggests that selective inhibition of translation of YB-1 mRNA and probably some other mRNAs as well, by mTOR kinase inhibitors is not mediated by the action of the 4E-binding protein upon functions of the 4F-group translation initiation factors.
Intralymphatic mRNA vaccine induces CD8 T-cell responses that inhibit the growth of mucosally located tumours
Authors: Bialkowski Lukasz , van Weijnen Alexia , Van der Jeught Kevin , Renmans Dries , Daszkiewicz Lidia , Heirman Carlo , Stangé Geert , Breckpot Karine , Aerts Joeri L. , Thielemans Kris
Published: March 2016

The lack of appropriate mouse models is likely one of the reasons of a limited translational success rate of therapeutic vaccines against cervical cancer, as rapidly growing ectopic tumours are commonly used for preclinical studies. In this work, we demonstrate that the tumour microenvironment of TC-1 tumours differs significantly depending on the anatomical location of tumour lesions (i.e.subcutaneously, in the lungs and in the genital tract). Our data demonstrate that E7-TriMix mRNA vaccine-induced CD8+T lymphocytes migrate into the tumour nest and control tumour growth, although they do not express mucosa-associated markers such as CD103 or CD49a. We additionally show that despite the presence of the antigen-specific T cells in the tumour lesions, the therapeutic outcomes in the genital tract model remain limited. Here, we report that such a hostile tumour microenvironment can be reversed by cisplatin treatment, leading to a complete regression of clinically relevant tumours when combined with mRNA immunization. We thereby demonstrate the necessity of utilizing clinically relevant models for preclinical evaluation of anticancer therapies and the importance of a simultaneous combination of anticancer immune response induction with targeting of tumour environment.
Cells release subpopulations of exosomes with distinct molecular and biological properties
Authors: Willms Eduard , Johansson Henrik J. , Mäger Imre , Lee Yi , Blomberg K. Emelie M. , Sadik Mariam , Alaarg Amr , Smith C.I. Edvard , Lehtiö Janne , EL Andaloussi Samir , Wood Matthew J.A. , Vader Pieter
Published: March 2016

Cells release nano-sized membrane vesicles that are involved in intercellular communication by transferring biological information between cells. It is generally accepted that cells release at least three types of extracellular vesicles (EVs): apoptotic bodies, microvesicles and exosomes. While a wide range of putative biological functions have been attributed to exosomes, they are assumed to represent a homogenous population of EVs. We hypothesized the existence of subpopulations of exosomes with defined molecular compositions and biological properties. Density gradient centrifugation of isolated exosomes revealed the presence of two distinct subpopulations, differing in biophysical properties and their proteomic and RNA repertoires. Interestingly, the subpopulations mediated differential effects on the gene expression programmes in recipient cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate that cells release distinct exosome subpopulations with unique compositions that elicit differential effects on recipient cells. Further dissection of exosome heterogeneity will advance our understanding of exosomal biology in health and disease and accelerate the development of exosome-based diagnostics and therapeutics.
Integrated metabolomics and metagenomics analysis of plasma and urine identified microbial metabolites associated with coronary heart disease
Authors: Feng Qiang , Liu Zhipeng , Zhong Shilong , Li Ruijun , Xia Huihua , Jie Zhuye , Wen Bo , Chen Xiaomin , Yan Wei , Fan Yanqun , Guo Zhenyu , Meng Nan , Chen Jiyan , Yu Xiyong , Zhang Zhiwei , Kristiansen Karsten , Wang Jun , Xu Xun , He Kunlun , Li Guanglei
Published: March 2016

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is top risk factor for health in modern society, causing high mortality rate each year. However, there is no reliable way for early diagnosis and prevention of CHD so far. So study the mechanism of CHD and development of novel biomarkers is urgently needed. In this study, metabolomics and metagenomics technology are applied to discover new biomarkers from plasma and urine of 59 CHD patients and 43 healthy controls and trace their origin. We identify GlcNAc-6-P which has good diagnostic capability and can be used as potential biomarkers for CHD, together with mannitol and 15 plasma cholines. These identified metabolites show significant correlations with clinical biochemical indexes. Meanwhile, GlcNAc-6-P and mannitol are potential metabolites originated from intestinal microbiota. Association analysis on species and function levels between intestinal microbes and metabolites suggest a close correlation between Clostridium sp. HGF2 and GlcNAc-6-P, Clostridium sp. HGF2, Streptococcus sp. M143, Streptococcus sp. M334 and mannitol. These suggest the metabolic abnormality is significant and gut microbiota dysbiosis happens in CHD patients.
Akt mediated phosphorylation of LARP6; critical step in biosynthesis of type I collagen
Authors: Zhang Yujie , Stefanovic Branko
Published: March 2016

La ribonucleoprotein domain family, member 6 (LARP6) is the RNA binding protein, which regulates translation of collagen mRNAs and synthesis of type I collagen. Posttranslational modifications of LARP6 and how they affect type I collagen synthesis have not been studied. We show that in lung fibroblasts LARP6 is phosphorylated at 8 serines, 6 of which are located within C-terminal domain. Phosphorylation of LARP6 follows a hierarchical order; S451 phosphorylation being a prerequisite for phosphorylations of other serines. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway reduced the phosphorylation of LARP6, but had no effect on the S451A mutant, suggesting that PI3K/Akt pathway targets S451 and we have identified Akt as the responsible kinase. Overexpression of S451A mutant had dominant negative effect on collagen biosynthesis; drastically reduced secretion of collagen and induced hyper-modifications of collagen α2 (I) polypeptides. This indicates that LARP6 phosphorylation at S451 is critical for regulating translation and folding of collagen polypeptides. Akt inhibitor, GSK-2141795, which is in clinical trials for treatment of solid tumors, reduced collagen production by human lung fibroblasts with EC50 of 150 nM. This effect can be explained by inhibition of LARP6 phosphorylation and suggests that Akt inhibitors may be effective in treatment of various forms of fibrosis.
Rapid and Checkable Electrical Post-Treatment Method for Organic Photovoltaic Devices
Authors: Park Sangheon , Seo Yu-Seong , Shin Won Suk , Moon Sang-Jin , Hwang Jungseek
Published: March 2016

Post-treatment processes improve the performance of organic photovoltaic devices by changing the microscopic morphology and configuration of the vertical phase separation in the active layer. Thermal annealing and solvent vapor (or chemical) treatment processes have been extensively used to improve the performance of bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. In this work we introduce a new post-treatment process which we apply only electrical voltage to the BHJ-OPV devices. We used the commercially available P3HT [Poly(3-hexylthiophene)] and PC61BM (Phenyl-C61-Butyric acid Methyl ester) photovoltaic materials as donor and acceptor, respectively. We monitored the voltage and current applied to the device to check for when the post-treatment process had been completed. This electrical treatment process is simpler and faster than other post-treatment methods, and the performance of the electrically treated solar cell is comparable to that of a reference (thermally annealed) device. Our results indicate that the proposed treatment process can be used efficiently to fabricate high-performance BHJ-OPV devices.
Study of the biochemical effects induced by X-ray irradiations in combination with gadolinium nanoparticles in F98 glioma cells: first FTIR studies at the Emira laboratory of the SESAME synchrotron
Authors: Yousef Ibraheem , Seksek Olivier , Gil Sílvia , Prezado Yolanda , Sulé-Suso Josep , Martínez-Rovira Immaculada
Published: March 2016

One strategy to improve the clinical outcome of radiotherapy is to use nanoparticles as radiosensitizers.
Ordered mesoporous CoMOx (M = Al or Zr) mixed oxides for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis
Authors: Ahn Chang-Il , Lee Yun Jo , Um Soong Ho , Bae Jong Wook
Published: March 2016

A superior structural stability of the ordered mesoporous CoMOx catalysts synthesized using the KIT-6 hard template was observed under the reductive Fischer–Tropsch reaction conditions due to the formation of strongly interacting stable Co3O4–ZrO2 mixed oxides.
Synthesis of hierarchical porous β-FeOOH catalysts in ionic liquid/water/CH2Cl2 ionogels
Authors: Kang Xinchen , Sun Xiaofu , Zhu Qinggong , Ma Xiaoxue , Liu Huizhen , Han Buxing
Published: March 2016

The ionic liquid/water/CH2Cl2 ionogels were created and were used to synthesize highly efficient heterogeneous hierarchical porous β-FeOOH catalysts.
Free energy landscapes of sodium ions bound to DMPC–cholesterol membrane surfaces at infinite dilution
Authors: Yang Jing , Bonomi Massimiliano , Calero Carles , Martí Jordi
Published: March 2016

Typical configuration of two DMPC lipids and one cholesterol molecule solvating one sodium ion, together with two additional water molecules.
Comparative kinetic and energetic modelling of phyllosemiquinone oxidation in Photosystem I
Authors: Santabarbara Stefano , Zucchelli Giuseppe
Published: March 2016

The comparison different energetic scenarios proposed for Phyllosemiquinone oxidation in Photosystem I within a unified kinetic and theoretical framework indicates that only a weakly activate or a largely exergonic reaction describe the experimental kinetics.
Homogeneity of doping with paramagnetic ions by NMR
Authors: Li Wenyu , Celinski Vinicius R. , Weber Johannes , Kunkel Nathalie , Kohlmann Holger , Schmedt auf der Günne Jörn
Published: March 2016

Paramagnetic doping homogeneity can be elucidated by quantitative solid-state NMR experiments.
Man-made molecular machines: membrane bound
Authors: Watson Matthew A. , Cockroft Scott L.
Published: March 2016

This tutorial review charts the development of man-made molecular machines; from solution-phase to transmembrane assemblies.
Deoxygenation of carbonyl compounds using an alcohol as an efficient reducing agent catalyzed by oxo-rhenium complexes
Authors: Bernardo Joana R. , Fernandes Ana C.
Published: March 2016

The catalytic system 3-pentanol/ReOCl3(SMe2)(OPPh3) was very efficient for the deoxygenation of carbonyl compounds.
Probing the binding interaction between cadmium(ii) chloride and lysozyme
Authors: Wang Jing , Yang Xinping , Wang Jinhu , Xu Chi , Zhang Wandi , Liu Rutao , Zong Wansong
Published: March 2016

Key binding sites influencing lysozyme activity when interacting with CdCl2.
Architectural design of hierarchically meso–macroporous carbon for microbial fuel cell anodes
Authors: Liu Mengmeng , Zhou Minghua , Ma Liang , Yang Huijia , Zhao Yingying
Published: March 2016

The HN-C exhibited a high power density (1034 mW m−2), which was much higher than the macroporous carbon anode MFC (811 mW m−2) and mesoporous carbon anode MFC (678 mW m−2) and was 2.2-folds that of carbon cloth anode MFC (467 mW m−2).
Interference-free analysis of aflatoxin B1and G1in various foodstuffs using trilinear component modeling of excitation–emission matrix fluorescence data enhanced through photochemical derivatization
Authors: Liu Zhi , Wu Hai-Long , Gu Hui-Wen , Yin Xiao-Li , Xie Li-Xia , Hu Yong , Xia Hui , Xiang Shou-Xia , Yu Ru-Qin
Published: March 2016

A novel ‘dilute-and-shoot’ strategy coupling self-weighted alternating normalized residue fitting algorithm with two-dimensional fluorescence detection enhanced by photochemical derivatization was proposed for rapid analysis of aflatoxin B1and G1.
Nanostructured platinum in ordered mesoporous silica as novel efficient catalyst for propane total oxidation
Authors: Cao Yidan , Ran Rui , Chen Yusheng , Wu Xiaodong , Weng Duan
Published: March 2016

Nanostructured platinum in ordered mesoporous silica SBA-15 and KIT-6 were synthesized. Pt particles with lower oxidation state were more homogeneously dispersed within the pores of KIT-6, making it an efficient catalyst for propane total oxidation.
Shape dependent stripping behavior of Au nanoparticles toward arsenic detection: evidence of enhanced sensitivity on the Au (111) facet
Authors: Han Dong-Dong , Li Shan-Shan , Guo Zheng , Chen Xing , Liu Jin-Huai , Huang Xing-Jiu
Published: March 2016

This work reports a comparative study of gold cubes {100}, octahedra {111}, and rhombic dodecahedra {110} toward the detection of arsenic for the first time. Au octahedral nanoparticles were found to exhibit the highest sensitivity.
Doping graphene with boron: a review of synthesis methods, physicochemical characterization, and emerging applications
Authors: Agnoli Stefano , Favaro Marco
Published: March 2016

Graphene based materials can be effectively modified by doping in order to specifically tailor their properties toward specific applications.
Novel structurally tuned DAMN receptor for “in situ” diagnosis of bicarbonate in environmental waters
Authors: Kaloo Masood Ayoub , Sunder Raman Ramya , Sankar Jeyaraman
Published: March 2016

A novel receptor for specific and prompt bicarbonate anion (HCO3−) recognition is presented. HCO3− triggers facile ICT, which provides “in situ” recognition of water soluble carbonates. For the first time, “on-site” estimation of HCO3− in environmental waters is demonstrated.
Enhanced charge separation of rutile TiO2 nanorods by trapping holes and transferring electrons for efficient cocatalyst-free photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to fuels
Authors: Wu Jing , Lu Hongwei , Zhang Xuliang , Raziq Fazal , Qu Yang , Jing Liqiang
Published: March 2016

Modification with anions and coupling with CNTs could promote the charge separation of rutile so as to improve the cocatalyst-free photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to fuels.
Structural studies of β-turn-containing peptide catalysts for atroposelective quinazolinone bromination
Authors: Metrano A. J. , Abascal N. C. , Mercado B. Q. , Paulson E. K. , Miller S. J.
Published: March 2016

X-Ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy were used to investigate the effect of primary structure on both secondary structure and enantioselectivity in peptide-based catalysts for an atroposelective bromination reaction.
A blue 4′,7-diaminoflavylium cation showing an extended pH range stability
Authors: Tron A. , Gago S. , McClenaghan N. D. , Parola A. J. , Pina F.
Published: March 2016

The introduction of two amine substituents in 4′ and 7 positions, leads to the formation of a blue flavylium cation, 7-(N,N′-diethylamino)-2-(9-julolidine)-1-benzopyrilium, which is extremely stable across a wide acidic pH range.
Correction: In vitro analysis of partially hydrolyzed guar gum fermentation differences between six individuals
Authors: Carlson Justin , Esparza Julian , Swan Jonathon , Taussig David , Combs Jerry , Slavin Joanne
Published: March 2016

Correction for ‘In vitro analysis of partially hydrolyzed guar gum fermentation differences between six individuals’ by Justin Carlson, et al., Food Funct., 2016, DOI: 10.1039/c5fo01232e.
Parameter identification using stochastic simulations reveals a robustness in CD95 apoptotic response
Authors: Zimmer Christoph , Schleich Kolja , Lavrik Inna
Published: March 2016

A number of mathematical models of apoptosis generated recently allowed us to understand intrinsic mechanisms of life/death decisions in a cell.
Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) supported copper nanoclusters: glutathione enhanced blue photoluminescence for application in phosphor converted light emitting devices
Authors: Wang Zhenguang , Susha Andrei S. , Chen Bingkun , Reckmeier Claas , Tomanec Ondrej , Zboril Radek , Zhong Haizheng , Rogach Andrey L.
Published: March 2016

Blue emission of Cu nanoclusters reaches 27%; white LEDs (CRI 92) were made by their combination with commercial phosphors.
Extremely deep photopolymerization using upconversion particles as internal lamps
Authors: Liu Ren , Chen Hao , Li Zhiquan , Shi Feng , Liu Xiaoya
Published: March 2016

More than 10 centimeters of photopolymerization depth is obtained using upconversion nanoparticles as internal lamps.
Control of biodegradability in a natural fibre based nanocomposite as a function of impregnated copper nanoparticles
Authors: Kabir Chowdhury Md. Najmul , Ismail Ahmad Fauzi , Hossen Beg Mohammad Dalour , Khan Maksudur Rahman , Gohari Rasoul Jamshidi , Razis Bin Saidin Mohammad Abdul , Islam Muhammad Remanul , Ong Huei Ruey
Published: March 2016

Here we present a novel type of nanocomposite composed of natural fibres and impregnated with copper nanoparticles to control the biodegradability.
Biological fluorination from the sea: discovery of a SAM-dependent nucleophilic fluorinating enzyme from the marine-derived bacterium Streptomyces xinghaiensis NRRL B24674
Authors: Ma Long , Li Yufeng , Meng Lingpei , Deng Hai , Li Yuyin , Zhang Qiang , Diao Aipo
Published: March 2016

The first ever marine originated fluorinating enzyme, which promises to be useful in biotransformation and synthetic biology, is described.
Facile preparation method for polymer and exfoliated graphite composites and their application as conduction-promoting materials
Authors: Nozato Shoji , Nakasuga Akira , Wada Takuya , Yoshitani Hiroshi , Ihara Hirotaka
Published: March 2016

This paper introduces a new carbon material having high electrical conductivity and dispersibility, which is characterized by a partially exfoliated structure with grafted polymer and restacking ability through removal of the grafted polymer.
High performance oxygen-bridged N-shaped semiconductors with a stabilized crystal phase and blue luminescence
Authors: Mitsui Chikahiko , Tanaka Yuji , Tanaka Shota , Yamagishi Masakazu , Nakahara Katsumasa , Yano Masafumi , Sato Hiroyasu , Yamano Akihito , Matsui Hiroyuki , Takeya Jun , Okamoto Toshihiro
Published: March 2016

Here, we describe an oxygen-bridged N-shaped π-electron core, dinaphtho[2,3-d:2′,3′-d′]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]difuran (DNBDF), as a new entity of organic semiconducting materials.
Organocatalytic one-pot asymmetric synthesis of 2-aryl-2,3-dihydro-4-quinolones
Authors: Pan Gao-Fei , Su Li , Zhang Yan-Lei , Guo Shi-Huan , Wang Yong-Qiang
Published: March 2016

A highly efficient organocatalytic one-pot approach for enantioselective synthesis of (R)-2-aryl-2,3-dihydro-4-quinolones from o-aminoacetophenones and aryl aldehydes has been achieved.
Electrically bistable and non-volatile memory devices based on p-toluenesulfonic-doped poly(triphenylamine)
Authors: Ren Decai , Li Hongling , Zhu Yu , Bai Xuduo
Published: March 2016

The devices are bi-directionally switchable and have non-volatile WORM memory characteristics. They were used as promising candidates in security and data protection applications.
Synthesis and pH-responsive self-assembly behavior of a fluorescent amphiphilic triblock copolymer mPEG-b-PCL-b-PDMAEMA-g-PC for the controlled intracellular delivery of doxorubicin
Authors: Li Lei , Lu Beibei , Fan Qikui , Wei Lulu , Wu Jianning , Hou Jun , Guo Xuhong , Liu Zhiyong
Published: March 2016

Schematic illustration of the pH-responsive self-assembly of a mPEG-b-PCL-b-PDMAEMA-g-PC copolymer with fluorescent coumarin units for controlling DOX release.
One-pot synthesis of 2,5-diformylfuran from fructose using a magnetic bi-functional catalyst
Authors: Mittal Neha , Nisola Grace M. , Malihan Lenny B. , Seo Jeong Gil , Kim Hern , Lee Seong-Poong , Chung Wook-Jin
Published: March 2016

A magnetic bi-functional WO3HO-VO(salten)-SiO2@Fe3O4nanocatalyst was prepared to directly synthesize 2,5-diformylfuran (2,5-DFF) from fructose.