bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical Treatment of High‐Grade Dysplasia and Early Esophageal Cancer
Authors: McLaren Patrick J. , Dolan James P.
Published: March 2017

Background

The treatment of early‐stage esophageal cancer and high‐grade dysplasia of the esophagus has changed significantly in recent years. Many early tumors that were traditionally treated with esophagectomy can now be resected with endoscopic therapy alone. These new endoscopic modalities can offer similar survival outcomes without the associated morbidity of a major operation. However, a number of these cases may still require surgical intervention as the best treatment option.

Methods

The current scientific literature, national and international guidelines were reviewed for recommendations regarding optimal treatment of early esophageal malignancy.

Results

The primary advantage of surgery over endoscopic treatment lies in the reduced risk of recurrence as well as the ability to assess harvested lymph nodes for regional disease. We recommend that esophageal tumors that have invaded into the submucosa (T1b) or beyond should be treated with an esophagectomy. In addition, dysplastic lesions and cancers that demonstrate poorly differentiated pathology or lymphovascular or perineural invasion should be surgically resected. Finally, large tumors, multifocal lesions, tumors within a long segment of Barrett’s esophagus, tumors adjacent to a hiatal hernia, tumors that cannot be resected enbloc with endoscopic techniques should also be treated with an esophagectomy.

Conclusions

When performed at high‐volume centers in experienced hands, esophagectomy can have consistently good outcomes for high‐grade dysplasia and early esophageal cancers, and should be considered as a treatment option.
Application of Differential Pulse Voltammetry to Determine the Efficiency of Stripping Tocopherols from Commercial Fish Oil
Authors: Lubeckyj Rachele A. , Winkler‐Moser Jill K. , Fhaner Matthew J.
Published: March 2017

There has been an increase in the use of electrochemical methods for monitoring antioxidant levels in a variety of disciplines due to the sensitivity, low detection limits, ease of use, low cost and rapid analysis time offered by these techniques. One technique that has received specific attention is differential pulse voltammetry. We describe a novel application of differential pulse voltammetry to quantitatively and qualitatively determine the efficiency of removing tocopherols from commercial fish oil via column chromatographic separation. The relative limits of detection and quantitation of differential pulse voltammetry are compared to HPLC for determining the removal of tocopherols from commercial fish oil. It was determined that differential pulse voltammetry can monitor the separation of commercially added antioxidants from the bulk sample via a decrease in antioxidant oxidation currents. Furthermore, the limits of detection and quantitation were found to be comparable with values obtained using HPLC for tocopherol identification and quantitation.
Polycentric banking and macroeconomic stability
Authors: Salter Alexander William , Tarko Vlad
Published: March 2017

We contribute to the post-crisis literature on macroeconomic stability by arguing that polycentric banking systems can better achieve stability than monocentric systems. Building on the theories of E. Ostrom, we engage the literature on free banking systems to show that these systems met the requirements of polycentric governance systems, and that the unintentional result of the underlying governance institutions was macroeconomic stability. In contrast, modern central banking, because it is monocentric, lacks important features regarding knowledge aggregation and incentive compatibility conducive to generating macroeconomic stability. We conclude by discussing various legal barriers that stand in the way of a transition from monetary monocentrism to monetary polycentrism.
BEING(S): MARK ANDRE'S COMPOSITIONAL RESPONSE TO A SYNTHETIC EXISTENCE
Authors: Jones Stephanie
Published: March 2017

During the 2014 International Summer Course for New Music in Darmstadt, Berlin-based composer Mark Andre (b. 1964, Paris) lectured specifically on how his own compositional practice is concerned with ‘interstices that occur between compositional polarities – the affect, the appearance, the families of time and sound, the families of impulse responses – before they unfold themselves fragile, shadowy, breathlessly and fade away’. Drawing upon Andre's teachings at Darmstadt, as well as certain theories on existence put forward by Michel Foucault, Jean-Luc Nancy, Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, and Pierre Boulez, this article will work to prise open and unfold a broad, contextual backdrop for theorising the composer's own compositional practice. In particular, this article will argue that Andre, like the authors named above, uses the position of interstices to contest the working of ‘synthetic’ structure in (Western) civilisation, and so relieve, even if momentarily – by allowing ‘being’ to freely resonate, even speak – any notion of synthetic impingement.
BBC Proms 2016: Julian Anderson and Thomas Larcher
Authors: Stein Robert
Published: March 2017

Julian Anderson has been interestingly public about the genesis of his new orchestral piece Incantesimi, co-commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society, Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation and Boston Symphony Orchestra, writing about its genesis in The Guardian as a trailer to its UK Proms premiere. Premiered by the Berlin Philharmonic under Simon Rattle in June 2016, Incantesimi toured to Rotterdam and Lucerne before opening that orchestra's Prom (Rattle's last as their chief conductor) in September. Wanting not to write a ‘showpiece’ but instead ‘something slow and quiet’, Anderson described Incantesimi as a ‘nocturne’ which takes its musical inspiration from Mozart's Jupiter Symphony, in that five themes are deployed ‘in perpetual orbit’. He also spoke of his focus on the Berlin Philharmonic's beauty of sound as a prompt to write something that would unfold slowly.
EarTaxi Festival, Chicago
Authors: Holloway-Nahum Aaron
Published: March 2017

I so wanted to write something about how extraordinary, how diverse, how friendly, the New Music community in Chicago and environs is. About how righteous [Augusta Read Thomas's] decision was to focus on this remarkably expansive midwestern meta-alt-community. About how good the music is, and will be, and the performers and their performances. About the unique pleasure of unanticipated audition. But it is now mid-July, and the old Brecht line about ‘these times’ coils my mind like a childish superstition: ‘A conversation about trees is almost a crime’.

Seth Brodsky, EarTaxi Programme Book

This review of the EarTaxi Festival, a beautiful, vibrant, kaleidoscope of events that celebrated New Music from every corner of Chicago in six days in October 2016, was written on 10 November 2016. There were 32 events featuring more than 350 Chicago musicians performing music by 88 Chicago composers. The festival gave 54 World Premieres, and included five sound installations, a colloquium from George Lewis, numerous panel discussions and countless drinks and meals with friends old and new throughout the week. But at the moment of writing, as I was casting my mind back over the concerts, many of the same musicians and composers were outside Trump Tower in Chicago, protesting the election of a man elected on a platform that demonised, belittled and threatened the very idea of a community and festival built on diversity, the global-nature of music-making and inclusion.
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival 2016, Huddersfield
Authors: Dodd Rose
Published: March 2017

The Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival leaves an indelible impression on any brave soul who ventures into the chill, dark November nights across its ten days, a rite of passage challenging conceptions of the stuff music is made of. Now in its thirty-ninth year, this is one of the more established contemporary music festivals, yet it never fails to provoke and stimulate, a snapshot of current musical preoccupations. The first weekend traditionally showcases a selection of significant works, setting the tone for the subsequent week, and 2016 was no exception. Jennifer Walshe and the Arditti String Quartet opened the festival in a ‘declaration of love to life on earth’. EVERYTHING IS IMPORTANT (2016) is an eco-treatise on the bombardment the world is suffering – a torrent of visual and vocal disturbance with the arch-complexist Arditti gamely along for the ride, a playful synergy of theatre, voice and string quartet, preparing us for what was to come over the next few days.
Neural Transplantation in Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Christie S.D. , Mendez I.
Published: March 2017

Although medical advancements have significantly increased the survival of spinal cord injury patients, restoration of function has not yet been achieved. Neural transplantation has been studied over the past decade in animal models as a repair strategy for spinal cord injury. Although spinal cord neural transplantation has yet to reach the point of clinical application and much work remains to be done, reconstructive strategies offer the greatest hope for the treatment of spinal cord injury in the future. This article presents the scientific basis of neural transplantation as a repair strategy and reviews the current status of neural transplantation in spinal cord injury.
P300 in Behcet's Patients without Neurological Manifestations
Authors: Kececi Hulusi , Akyol Melih
Published: March 2017

Objective:

Behcet's disease is the association of recurrent aphthous stomatitis with genital ulceration and eye disease. Neurologic involvement patterns include meningomyelitis, a brain stem syndrome, pyramidal and extrapyramidal abnormality and stroke. In the present study, subclinical involvement was investigated by using P300 in Behcet's patients without neurological manifestation.

Methods:

Fifteen patients and 15 healthy volunteers were accepted for the study. P300 from vertex (Cz) electrode sites of the 10-20 system using electrodes and motor response time were recorded.

Results:

Patients had significantly prolonged latencies of P300 as compared to normal controls (p=0.013) but no significant differences in amplitude (p=1.000). Patients showed a significantly delayed motor response time than controls (p=0.006). Nine patients (60 %) had P300 latency and eight patients (53.3 %) had motor response time values exceeding the mean of controls by two standard deviations.

Conclusion:

The findings suggest that the P300 measures and motor response time may reflect subclinical neurologic involvement in Behcet's disease.
Biogenic Amine Metabolites and Thiamine in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Heredo-Degenerative Ataxias
Authors: Botez M.I. , Young S.N.
Published: March 2017

Background:

The aims of the present study were: i) to measure levels of the dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid (HVA), the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) and precursor tryptophan, as well as the noradrenaline metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol (MHPG) and thiamine in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with Friedreich's ataxia (FA), olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA), and the autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSAC), as compared with sex- and age-matched control subjects.

Patients and methods:

CSF amine related compound levels and thiamine results were compared in 40 FA, 44 OPCAand nine ARSAC patients with those of 94 sex- and age-matched subjects. Neuroimaging (CT scans and single photon emission computed tomographies i.e. SPECT) were carried out in all patients and controls. Genetic studies were conducted on OPCApatients. CSF amine related compounds were measured by high performance liquid chromatography, whereas CSF thiamine levels were measured by a microbiological method.

Results:

FA patients had significantly lower CSF HVA, 5HIAA and thiamine values than control patients and a trend for lower MHPG levels. In OPCA patients, CSF HVA, MHPG and thiamine values were markedly lower whereas CSF 5HIAA values showed only a trend towards lower levels; in ARSAC patients only thiamine and HVA CSF values were lower than those in control subjects.

Conclusion:

After presenting the relationships between neurochemical findings on one side, the degree of ataxia, the degree of cerebellar atrophy and the SPECT findings on the other, the authors concluded that replacement and neuroprotective clinical trials in these patients would have to include two or three drugs because the neurotransmitter deficiencies are multiple.
CME
Authors: Parianos Danaë , Saguner Ardan M.
Published: March 2017

Zusammenfassung. Das Brugada-Syndrom ist ein seltenes, meist familiäres Arrhythmie-Syndrom mit autosomal-dominantem Vererbungsmuster und stellt eine wichtige Differenzialdiagnose von rhythmogenen Synkopen bzw. überlebtem plötzlichen Herztod bei jungen Erwachsenen ohne strukturelle Herzerkrankung dar. Die Diagnostik ist meist erschwert, da die pathognomonischen EKG-Zeichen häufig transient sind und zur definitiven Diagnose oft eine medikamentöse Demaskierung mittels Natriumblocker nötig ist. Die ICD-Implantation ist die einzige effektive Therapie zur Prävention des plötzlichen Herztodes. Für die diesbezügliche Therapieentscheidung ist vor allem bei Zufallsbefunden und asymptomatischen Patienten eine individuelle Risikostratifizierung nötig.
Scientists Develop New Tool to Monitor Reef Health
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: March 2017

A first-of-its-kind system could reveal short-term changes in threatened reefs worldwide
Translational repression by a miniature inverted-repeat transposable element in the 3′ untranslated region
Authors: Shen Jianqiang , Liu Juhong , Xie Kabin , Xing Feng , Xiong Fang , Xiao Jinghua , Li Xianghua , Xiong Lizhong
Published: March 2017

Transposable elements constitute a substantial portion of eukaryotic genomes and contribute to genomic variation, function, and evolution. Miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs), as DNA transposons, are widely distributed in plant and animal genomes. Previous studies have suggested that retrotransposons act as translational regulators; however, it remains unknown how host mRNAs are influenced by DNA transposons. Here we report a translational repression mechanism mediated by a stowaway-like MITE (sMITE) embedded in the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of Ghd2, a member of the CCT (CONSTANS [CO], CO-LIKE and TIMING OF CAB1) gene family in rice. Ghd2 regulates important agronomic traits, including grain number, plant height and heading date. Interestingly, the translational repression of Ghd2 by the sMITE mainly relies on Dicer-like 3a (OsDCL3a). Furthermore, other MITEs in the 3′-UTRs of different rice genes exhibit a similar effect on translational repression, thus suggesting that MITEs may exert a general regulatory function at the translational level.
The Role of Super-Atom Molecular Orbitals in Doped Fullerenes in a Femtosecond Intense Laser Field
Authors: Xiong Hui , Mignolet Benoit , Fang Li , Osipov Timur , Wolf Thomas J. A. , Sistrunk Emily , Gühr Markus , Remacle Francoise , Berrah Nora
Published: March 2017

The interaction of gas phase endohedral fullerene Ho3N@C80 with intense (0.1–5 × 1014 W/cm2), short (30 fs), 800 nm laser pulses was investigated. The power law dependence of Ho3N@C80q+, q = 1–2, was found to be different from that of C60. Time-dependent density functional theory computations revealed different light-induced ionization mechanisms. Unlike in C60, in doped fullerenes, the breaking of the cage spherical symmetry makes super atomic molecular orbital (SAMO) states optically active. Theoretical calculations suggest that the fast ionization of the SAMO states in Ho3N@C80 is responsible for the n = 3 power law for singly charged parent molecules at intensities lower than 1.2 × 1014 W/cm2.
Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex modulates attention and pain in fibromyalgia: randomized clinical trial
Authors: Silva Adriana Ferreira , Zortea Maxciel , Carvalho Sandra , Leite Jorge , Torres Iraci Lucena da Silva , Fregni Felipe , Caumo Wolnei
Published: March 2017

Cognitive dysfunction in fibromyalgia patients has been reported, especially when increased attentional demands are required. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has been effective in modulating attention. We tested the effects of a single session of tDCS coupled with a Go/No-go task in modulating three distinct attentional networks: alertness, orienting and executive control. Secondarily, the effect on pain measures was evaluated. Forty females with fibromyalgia were randomized to receive active or sham tDCS. Anodal stimulation (1 mA, 20 min) was applied over the DLPFC. Attention indices were assessed using the Attention Network Test (ANT). Heat pain threshold (HPTh) and tolerance (HPTo) were measured. Active compared to sham tDCS led to increased performance in the orienting (mean difference [MD] = 14.63) and executive (MD = 21.00) attention networks. There was no effect on alertness. Active tDCS increased HPTh as compared to sham (MD = 1.93) and HPTo (MD = 1.52). Regression analysis showed the effect on executive attention is mostly independent of the effect on pain. DLPFC may be an important target for neurostimulation therapies in addition to the primary motor cortex for patients who do not respond adequately to neurostimulation therapies.
Tripole-mode and quadrupole-mode solitons in (1 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear media with a spatial exponential-decay nonlocality
Authors: Dai Zhiping , Yang Zhenjun , Ling Xiaohui , Zhang Shumin , Pang Zhaoguang , Li Xingliang , Wang Youwen
Published: March 2017

The approximate analytical expressions of tripole-mode and quadrupole-mode solitons in (1 + 1)-dimensional nematic liquid crystals are obtained by applying the variational approach. It is found that the soliton powers for the two types of solitons are not equal with the same parameters, which is much different from their counterparts in the Snyder-Mitchell model (an ideal and typical strongly nolocal nonlinear model). The numerical simulations show that for the strongly nonlocal case, by expanding the response function to the second order, the approximate soliton solutions are in good agreement with the numerical results. Furthermore, by expanding the respond function to the higher orders, the accuracy and the validity range of the approximate soliton solutions increase. If the response function is expanded to the tenth order, the approximate solutions are still valid for the general nonlocal case.
Room-temperature helimagnetism in FeGe thin films
Authors: Zhang S. L. , Stasinopoulos I. , Lancaster T. , Xiao F. , Bauer A. , Rucker F. , Baker A. A. , Figueroa A. I. , Salman Z. , Pratt F. L. , Blundell S. J. , Prokscha T. , Suter A. , Waizner J. , Garst M. , Grundler D. , van der Laan G. , Pfleiderer C. , Hesjedal T.
Published: March 2017

Chiral magnets are promising materials for the realisation of high-density and low-power spintronic memory devices. For these future applications, a key requirement is the synthesis of appropriate materials in the form of thin films ordering well above room temperature. Driven by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, the cubic compound FeGe exhibits helimagnetism with a relatively high transition temperature of 278 K in bulk crystals. We demonstrate that this temperature can be enhanced significantly in thin films. Using x-ray scattering and ferromagnetic resonance techniques, we provide unambiguous experimental evidence for long-wavelength helimagnetic order at room temperature and magnetic properties similar to the bulk material. We obtain αintr = 0.0036 ± 0.0003 at 310 K for the intrinsic damping parameter. We probe the dynamics of the system by means of muon-spin rotation, indicating that the ground state is reached via a freezing out of slow dynamics. Our work paves the way towards the fabrication of thin films of chiral magnets that host certain spin whirls, so-called skyrmions, at room temperature and potentially offer integrability into modern electronics.
White Matter and Gray Matter Segmentation in 4D Computed Tomography
Authors: Manniesing Rashindra , Oei Marcel T. H. , Oostveen Luuk J. , Melendez Jaime , Smit Ewoud J. , Platel Bram , Sánchez Clara I. , Meijer Frederick J. A. , Prokop Mathias , van Ginneken Bram
Published: March 2017

Modern Computed Tomography (CT) scanners are capable of acquiring contrast dynamics of the whole brain, adding functional to anatomical information. Soft tissue segmentation is important for subsequent applications such as tissue dependent perfusion analysis and automated detection and quantification of cerebral pathology. In this work a method is presented to automatically segment white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) in contrast- enhanced 4D CT images of the brain. The method starts with intracranial segmentation via atlas registration, followed by a refinement using a geodesic active contour with dominating advection term steered by image gradient information, from a 3D temporal average image optimally weighted according to the exposures of the individual time points of the 4D CT acquisition. Next, three groups of voxel features are extracted: intensity, contextual, and temporal. These are used to segment WM and GM with a support vector machine. Performance was assessed using cross validation in a leave-one-patient-out manner on 22 patients. Dice coefficients were 0.81 ± 0.04 and 0.79 ± 0.05, 95% Hausdorff distances were 3.86 ± 1.43 and 3.07 ± 1.72 mm, for WM and GM, respectively. Thus, WM and GM segmentation is feasible in 4D CT with good accuracy.
Peptide-Au Clusters Induced Tumor Cells Apoptosis via Targeting Glutathione Peroxidase-1: The Molecular Dynamics Assisted Experimental Studies
Authors: Liu Meiqing , Gao Liang , Zhao Lina , He Jian , Yuan Qing , Zhang Peng , Zhao Yawei , Gao Xueyun
Published: March 2017

The original motivation of the article is to give a systematic investigation on the protocol of combining computer simulation and accurate synthesis of serial peptide protected gold clusters for potent tumor targeting therapy. Glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx-1) is a crucial antioxidant selenoenzyme that regulates cellular redox level, thus becomes a potential target in cancer treatment. We firstly utilize molecular dynamic (MD) simulation to rationally design and screen serial peptide-Au cluster compounds with special peptide sequences and precise gold atoms, which can recognize and bind specific domain of GPx-1 with high affinity. The theoretical simulations were further verified by the following peptide-Au clusters synthesis and GPx-1 activity suppression studies in buffer and cells, respectively. Further cytological experiments corroborated that peptide-Au clusters are promising nanoparticles inducing tumor cells apoptosis by suppressing GPx-1 activity and increasing higher cellular reactive oxygen species level to initiate tumor cell apoptosis through intrinsic mitochondrial pathway.
Risk factors for avian influenza virus contamination of live poultry markets in Zhejiang, China during the 2015–2016 human influenza season
Authors: Wang Xiaoxiao , Wang Qimei , Cheng Wei , Yu Zhao , Ling Feng , Mao Haiyan , Chen Enfu
Published: March 2017

Live bird markets (LBMs), being a potential source of avian influenza virus, require effective environmental surveillance management. In our study, a total of 2865 environmental samples were collected from 292 LBMs during the 2015–2016 human influenza season from 10 cities in Zhejiang province, China. The samples were tested by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Field investigations were carried out to investigate probable risk factors. Of the environmental samples, 1519 (53.0%) were contaminated by A subtype. The highest prevalence of the H9 subtype was 30.2%, and the frequencies of the H5 and H7 subtype were 9.3% and 17.3%, respectively. Hangzhou and Jinhua cities were contaminated more seriously than the others. The prevalence of H5/H7/H9 in drinking water samples was highest, at 50.9%, and chopping board swabs ranked second, at 49.3%. Duration of sales per day, types of live poultry, LBM location and the number of live poultry were the main risk factors for environmental contamination, according to logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, LBMs in Zhejiang were contaminated by avian influenza. Our study has provided clues for avian influenza prevention and control during the human influenza season, especially in areas where LBMs are not closed.
Vascular Permeability Drives Susceptibility to Influenza Infection in a Murine Model of Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Karlsson Erik A. , Oguin Thomas H. , Meliopoulos Victoria , Iverson Amy , Broadnax Alexandria , Yoon Sun-Woo , Pestina Tamara , Thomas Paul , Webby Richard , Schultz-Cherry Stacey , Rosch Jason W.
Published: March 2017

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a major global health concern. Patients with SCD experience disproportionately greater morbidity and mortality in response to influenza infection than do others. Viral infection is one contributing factor for the development of Acute Chest Syndrome (ACS), a major cause of morbidity and mortality in SCD patients. We determined whether the heightened sensitivity to influenza infection could be reproduced in the two different SCD murine models to ascertain the underlying mechanisms of increased disease severity. In agreement with clinical observations, we found that both genetic and bone marrow-transplanted SCD mice had greater mortality in response to influenza infection than did wild-type animals. Despite similar initial viral titers and inflammatory responses between wild-type and SCD animals during infection, SCD mice continued to deteriorate and failed to resolve the infection, resulting in increased mortality. Histopathology of the lung tissues revealed extensive pulmonary edema and vascular damage following infection, a finding confirmed by heightened vascular permeability following virus challenge. These findings implicate the development of exacerbated pulmonary permeability following influenza challenge as the primary factor underlying heightened mortality. These studies highlight the need to focus on prevention and control strategies against influenza infection in the SCD population.
The mechanics clarifying counterclockwise rotation in most IVF eggs in mice
Authors: Ishimoto Kenta , Ikawa Masahito , Okabe Masaru
Published: March 2017

In mammalian fertilization, a small spermatozoon interacts with an egg that is a few thousand times larger in volume. In spite of the big difference in size and mass, when spermatozoa are bound to eggs, they begin rotating the eggs in in vitro observation. This was dubbed the ‘fertilization dance’. Interestingly, some papers reported that the rotation was counterclockwise, although the reason for this skewed rotation was not clarified. We focused on a chirality of helical beating of spermatozoa and found that eggs rotate counterclockwise in simulations under a certain geometrical condition where the eggs were situated. This theory of egg rotation was validated by demonstrating egg rotation in a clockwise direction by floating eggs to the upper surface of the IVF medium. The enigma of skewed rotation of IVF eggs was clarified.
The Rotavirus NSP4 Viroporin Domain is a Calcium-conducting Ion Channel
Authors: Pham Thieng , Perry Jacob L. , Dosey Timothy L. , Delcour Anne H. , Hyser Joseph M.
Published: March 2017

Viroporins are small virus-encoded ion channel proteins. Most viroporins are monovalent selective cation channels, with few showing the ability to conduct divalent cations, like calcium (Ca2+). Nevertheless, some viroporins are known to disrupt host cell Ca2+ homeostasis, which is critical for virus replication and pathogenesis. Rotavirus nonstructural protein 4 (NSP4) is an endoplasmic reticulum transmembrane glycoprotein that has a viroporin domain (VPD), and NSP4 viroporin activity elevates cytosolic Ca2+ in mammalian cells. The goal of this study was to demonstrate that the NSP4 VPD forms an ion channel and determine whether the channel can conduct Ca2+. Using planar lipid bilayer and liposome patch clamp electrophysiology, we show that a synthetic peptide of the NSP4 VPD has ion channel activity. The NSP4 VPD was selective for cations over anions and channel activity was observed to have both well-defined “square top” openings as well as fast current fluctuations, similar to other viroporins. Importantly, the NSP4 VPD showed similar conductance of divalent cations (Ca2+ and Ba2+) as monovalent cations (K+), but a viroporin defective mutant lacked Ca2+ conductivity. These data demonstrate that the NSP4 VPD is a Ca2+-conducting viroporin and establish the mechanism by which NSP4 disturbs host cell Ca2+ homeostasis.
The Beaver’s Phylogenetic Lineage Illuminated by Retroposon Reads
Authors: Doronina Liliya , Matzke Andreas , Churakov Gennady , Stoll Monika , Huge Andreas , Schmitz Jürgen
Published: March 2017

Solving problematic phylogenetic relationships often requires high quality genome data. However, for many organisms such data are still not available. Among rodents, the phylogenetic position of the beaver has always attracted special interest. The arrangement of the beaver’s masseter (jaw-closer) muscle once suggested a strong affinity to some sciurid rodents (e.g., squirrels), placing them in the Sciuromorpha suborder. Modern molecular data, however, suggested a closer relationship of beaver to the representatives of the mouse-related clade, but significant data from virtually homoplasy-free markers (for example retroposon insertions) for the exact position of the beaver have not been available. We derived a gross genome assembly from deposited genomic Illumina paired-end reads and extracted thousands of potential phylogenetically informative retroposon markers using the new bioinformatics coordinate extractor fastCOEX, enabling us to evaluate different hypotheses for the phylogenetic position of the beaver. Comparative results provided significant support for a clear relationship between beavers (Castoridae) and kangaroo rat-related species (Geomyoidea) (p < 0.0015, six markers, no conflicting data) within a significantly supported mouse-related clade (including Myodonta, Anomaluromorpha, and Castorimorpha) (p < 0.0015, six markers, no conflicting data).
Cholesterol impairment contributes to neuroserpin aggregation
Authors: Giampietro Costanza , Lionetti Maria Chiara , Costantini Giulio , Mutti Federico , Zapperi Stefano , La Porta Caterina A. M.
Published: March 2017

Intraneural accumulation of misfolded proteins is a common feature of several neurodegenerative pathologies including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and Familial Encephalopathy with Neuroserpin Inclusion Bodies (FENIB). FENIB is a rare disease due to a point mutation in neuroserpin which accelerates protein aggregation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here we show that cholesterol depletion induced either by prolonged exposure to statins or by inhibiting the sterol reg-ulatory binding-element protein (SREBP) pathway also enhances aggregation of neuroserpin proteins. These findings can be explained considering a computational model of protein aggregation under non-equilibrium conditions, where a decrease in the rate of protein clearance improves aggregation. Decreasing cholesterol in cell membranes affects their biophysical properties, including their ability to form the vesicles needed for protein clearance, as we illustrate by a simple mathematical model. Taken together, these results suggest that cholesterol reduction induces neuroserpin aggregation, even in absence of specific neuroserpin mutations. The new mechanism we uncover could be relevant also for other neurodegenerative diseases associated with protein aggregation.
Real-time observation of the isothermal crystallization kinetics in a deeply supercooled liquid
Authors: Zanatta M. , Cormier L. , Hennet L. , Petrillo C. , Sacchetti F.
Published: March 2017

Below the melting temperature Tm, crystals are the stable phase of typical elemental or molecular systems. However, cooling down a liquid below Tm, crystallization is anything but inevitable. The liquid can be supercooled, eventually forming a glass below the glass transition temperature Tg. Despite their long lifetimes and the presence of strong barriers that produces an apparent stability, supercooled liquids and glasses remain intrinsically a metastable state and thermodynamically unstable towards the crystal. Here we investigated the isothermal crystallization kinetics of the prototypical strong glassformer GeO2 in the deep supercooled liquid at 1100 K, about half-way between Tm and Tg. The crystallization process has been observed through time-resolved neutron diffraction for about three days. Data show a continuous reorganization of the amorphous structure towards the alpha-quartz phase with the final material composed by crystalline domains plunged into a low-density, residual amorphous matrix. A quantitative analysis of the diffraction patterns allows determining the time evolution of the relative fractions of crystal and amorphous, that was interpreted through an empirical model for the crystallization kinetics. This approach provides a very good description of the experimental data and identifies a predator-prey-like mechanism between crystal and amorphous, where the density variation acts as a blocking barrier.
Dose- and time- effect responses of DNA methylation and histone H3K9 acetylation changes induced by traffic-related air pollution
Authors: Ding Rui , Jin Yongtang , Liu Xinneng , Ye Huaizhuang , Zhu Ziyi , Zhang Yuan , Wang Ting , Xu Yinchun
Published: March 2017

As an important risk factor of respiratory disorders, traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) has caused extensive concerns. Epigenetic change has been considered a link between TRAP and respiratory diseases. However, the exact effects of TRAP on epigenetic changes are still unclear. Here we investigated the dose- and time- effect responses of TRAP on DNA methylations and H3K9 acetylation (H3K9ac) in both blood and lung tissues of rats. The findings showed that every 1 μg/m3 increase of TRAP components were associated with changes in %5 mC (95% CI) in LINE-1, iNOS, p16CDKN2A, and APC ranging from −0.088% (−0.150, −0.026) to 0.102 (0.049, 0.154), as well as 0.276 (0.053, 0.498) to 0.475 (0.103, 0.848) ng/mg increase of H3K9ac. In addition, every 1 more day exposure at high level of TRAP (in tunnel) also significantly changed the levels of DNA methylation (ranging from −0.842% to 0.248%) and H3K9ac (16.033 and 15.718 ng/mg pro in PBMC and lung tissue, respectively) changes. Season and/or sex could interact with air pollutants in affecting DNA methylation and H3K9ac. The findings showed that TRAP exposure is dose- and time- dependently associated with the changes of DNA methylation and H3K9ac.
Chemosensory adaptations of the mountain fly Drosophila nigrosparsa (Insecta: Diptera) through genomics’ and structural biology’s lenses
Authors: Cicconardi Francesco , Di Marino Daniele , Olimpieri Pier Paolo , Arthofer Wolfgang , Schlick-Steiner Birgit C. , Steiner Florian M.
Published: March 2017

Chemoreception is essential for survival. Some chemicals signal the presence of nutrients or toxins, others the proximity of mating partners, competitors, or predators. Chemical signal transduction has therefore been studied in multiple organisms. InDrosophilaspecies, a number of odorant receptor genes and various other types of chemoreceptors were found. Three main gene families encode for membrane receptors and one for globular proteins that shuttle compounds with different degrees of affinity and specificity towards receptors. By sequencing the genome ofDrosophila nigrosparsa, a habitat specialist restricted to montane/alpine environment, and combining genomics and structural biology techniques, we characterised odorant, gustatory, ionotropic receptors and odorant binding proteins, annotating 189 loci and modelling the protein structure of two ionotropic receptors and one odorant binding protein. We hypothesise that theD. nigrosparsagenome experienced gene loss and various evolutionary pressures (diversifying positive selection, relaxation, and pseudogenisation), as well as structural modification in the geometry and electrostatic potential of the two ionotropic receptor binding sites. We discuss possible trajectories in chemosensory adaptation processes, possibly enhancing compound affinity and mediating the evolution of more specialized food, and a fine-tuned mechanism of adaptation.
Spore surface proteins of Brevibacillus laterosporus are involved in insect pathogenesis
Authors: Marche Maria Giovanna , Mura Maria Elena , Falchi Giovanni , Ruiu Luca
Published: March 2017

Outer spore envelope proteins of pathogenic bacteria often present specific virulence factors and tools to evade the defence system of their hosts. Brevibacillus laterosporus, a pathogen of invertebrates and an antimicrobial-producing species, is characterised by a unique spore coat and canoe-shaped parasporal body (SC-CSPB) complex surrounding the core spore. In the present study, we identified and characterised major proteins of the SC-CSPB complex of B. laterosporus, and we investigated their entomopathogenic role. Employing a proteomic approach and a B. laterosporus-house fly study model, we found four highly conserved proteins (ExsC, CHRD, CpbA and CpbB) that function as insect virulence factors. CpbA was associated with a significantly higher mortality of flies and greater relative gene expression levels during sporulation, compared to the other SC-CSPB proteins. Taken together, we suggest that spore surface proteins are a part of a complex set of toxins and virulence factors that B. laterosporus employs in its pathogenicity against flies.
Serial microbubble imaging technology (sMBI) for rapid screening of hydrogen-evolution materials used in photocatalytic water-splitting reactions
Authors: Zhang Jiarui , Lee Jianchao , Wang Liping , Zheng Yunyun , Wang Wenxiao , Guo Jiabo , Gao Jinhong
Published: March 2017

A new detection method, serial microbubble imaging (sMBI) was developed for high-throughput screening of thousands of H2-evolution catalysts.
Synthesis and in vitro study of novel borneol derivatives as potent inhibitors of the influenza A virus
Authors: Sokolova A. S. , Yarovaya O. I. , Semenova M. D. , Shtro A. A. , Orshanskaya I. R. , Zarubaev V. V. , Salakhutdinov N. F.
Published: March 2017

Herein, we present the design and synthesis of a series of novel heterocyclic derivatives of (−)-borneol and (−)-isoborneol as potent inhibitors of the influenza A virus.
Investigation of effects of design parameters on the internal short-circuit in cylindrical lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Xu Jun , Wu Yijing , Yin Sha
Published: March 2017

Cylindrical lithium-ion batteries are now widely applied in electric vehicles as power sources, but they still have an inevitable risk of internal short-circuit accompanied by catastrophic consequences.
Highly selective synthesis of large aromatic molecules with nano-zeolite: beyond the shape selectivity effect
Authors: Hou Yilin , Wang Ning , Zhang Jianmei , Qian Weizhong
Published: March 2017

We report a combination of the shape selectivity effect of zeolites and external surface alkylation to produce larger molecules.
Structural origins of capacity fading in lithium-polyimide batteries
Authors: Shestakov A. F. , Yarmolenko O. V. , Ignatova A. A. , Mumyatov A. V. , Stevenson K. J. , Troshin P. A.
Published: March 2017

A reversible fragmentation of the polyimide chain with N–N bond rupture occurs under 2-electron reduction and lithium insertion.
Understanding the functional properties of bio-inorganic nanoflowers as biocatalysts by deciphering the metal-binding sites of enzymes
Authors: Escobar Sindy , Velasco-Lozano Susana , Lu Chih-Hao , Lin Yu-Feng , Mesa Monica , Bernal Claudia , López-Gallego Fernando
Published: March 2017

The biomineralisation of metal phosphates is a promising approach to develop more efficient nanobiocatalysts; elucidating which protein regions most likely participate in the mineral formation will guide the fabrication of more efficient biocatalysts based on metal-phosphate nanoflowers.
A new cross-linked enzyme aggregate biocatalyst for NAD+-booster production
Authors: Martínez-Moñino Ana-Belén , Zapata-Pérez Rubén , García-Saura Antonio-Ginés , Cabanes Juana , Sánchez-Ferrer Álvaro
Published: March 2017

Cross-linked enzyme aggregates of NMN deamidase were produced with enhanced stability and reusability to obtain nicotinic acid mononucleotide.
The driving force for forming As–As bonding and its effect on the electronic structures and the thermoelectric properties of Zintl Ca5M2As6 (M = Sn, Ga)
Authors: Luo Dong Bao , Wang Yuan Xu
Published: March 2017

The connecting forms between the adjacent chains in Ca5M2As6 (M = Ga, Sn) play a key role in determining their thermoelectric properties.
Morphology effects on singlet oxygen production and bacterial photoinactivation efficiency by different silica-protoporphyrin IX nanocomposites
Authors: Zampini G. , Planas O. , Marmottini F. , Gulías O. , Agut M. , Nonell S. , Latterini L.
Published: March 2017

Different silica-protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) nanocomposites have been synthesized to evaluate the dependence of singlet oxygen production and bacterial inactivation efficiency on the morphology of the nanomaterials.
Highly crystalline β-FeOOH(Cl) nanorod catalysts doped with transition metals for efficient water oxidation
Authors: Suzuki Tomiko M. , Nonaka Takamasa , Suda Akihiko , Suzuki Noritomo , Matsuoka Yoriko , Arai Takeo , Sato Shunsuke , Morikawa Takeshi
Published: March 2017

Highly crystalline Ni-doped β-FeOOH(Cl) nanorod catalysts for efficient electrochemical water oxidation were successfully synthesized by a one-pot ambient temperature synthesis.
A general strategy to enhance the alkaline stability of anion exchange membranes
Authors: Chen Jiajia , Li Cunpu , Wang Jianchuan , Li Li , Wei Zidong
Published: March 2017

Carbonyl groups protect quaternary ammonium groups by reversible reaction with OH− ions. This protection is named the “rat-trap effect”.
The role of Sb in solar cell material Cu2ZnSnS4
Authors: Zhang Xiaoli , Han Miaomiao , Zeng Zhi , Duan Yuhua
Published: March 2017

In this study, based on first-principles calculations we report a possible mechanism of efficiency improvement of Sb-doped Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cells from the Sb-related defect point of view.
A facile water-stable MOF-based “off–on” fluorescent switch for label-free detection of dopamine in biological fluid
Authors: Cheng Yue , Wu Jie , Guo Chao , Li Xin-Ge , Ding Bin , Li Yan
Published: March 2017

An Abtz–CdI2–MOF was developed as an “off–on” fluorescent switch for label-free detection of dopamine without any surface modification or functionalization.
Vision‐based wheelchair navigation using geometric AdaBoost learning
Authors: Kim Eun Yi
Published: March 2017

A novel training algorithm called geometric AdaBoost learning, which integrates the local‐appearance models with the explicit shape model is proposed. The proposed algorithm employs a two‐stage AdaBoost learning algorithm. The first‐stage learning is performed to learn the local texture model within local image patches and to produce a confidence map. Based on the confidence values, the high‐discriminative local patches are selected, and then the global context models between them are trained in the later stage using AdaBoost learning. The proposed algorithm is applied to wheelchair navigation, and the results demonstrate that it outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art algorithms with improvements of 23.3 and 49% in terms of accuracy and speed.
Constrained radar waveform design algorithm for spectral coexistence
Authors: Yu Xianxiang , Cui Guolong , Ge Peng , Kong Lingjiang
Published: March 2017

The design problem of radar waveform to enhance target delectability while ensuring spectral compatibility is considered. Precisely, an iterative sequential optimisation algorithm is developed to jointly optimise signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio and stopband frequency energy. In each iteration of the proposed algorithm, the multidimensional optimisation problem is turned into multiple one‐dimensional optimisation problems with closed‐form solutions. Finally, the computational cost and objective value of the proposed algorithm in comparison with the existing method is assessed.
Three-Component One-Pot Reactions of 2-Trifluoromethyl-N-nosylaziridine, Primary Amines, and Vinylsulfonium Salts for Convenient Access to CF3-Containing Piperazines
Authors: Hirotaki Kensuke , Irie Akiko , Nakamura Yuki , Hanamoto Takeshi
Published: March 2017

Trifluoromethylated piperazines were readily synthesized with excellent regioselectivity in high yields by the sequential reaction of 2-trifluoromethylated N-nosylaziridine (2-CF3-N-Ns-aziridine) with various primary amines, followed by treatment with vinylsulfonium salts, in one pot.
Fused Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines (7-Deazapurines) by Palladium-Catalyzed Direct N–H and C–H Arylation Reactions
Authors: Dodonova Jelena , Tumkevicius Sigitas
Published: March 2017

Palladium-catalyzed intramolecular direct C–H arylations for the synthesis of hitherto unknown fused hetero systems containing an incorporated pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine scaffold are described. Pyrimido[5′,4′:4,5]pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoindoles were synthesized from 2,4-di­arylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines and o-bromobenzyl bromides by using a cascade N-benzylation/C–H arylation reaction sequence. A series of pyrimido[5′,4′:4,5]pyrrolo[1,2-f]phenanthridines were successfully assembled via a domino process involving the palladium-catalyzed direct double C–H arylation reactions of 2,4,7-triarylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines with o-bromoiodobenzenes.
Guideline Compliance in Surgery for Thyroid Nodules – A Retrospective Study
Authors: Reinisch A. , Malkomes P. , Habbe N. , Bojunga J. , Grünwald F. , Badenhoop K. , Bechstein W. , Holzer K.
Published: March 2017

Diagnostic guidelines for thyroid nodules focus on malignancy risk assessment to avoid unnecessary diagnostic operations. These guidelines recommend a combination of tests in form of a diagnostic algorithm. The present study analyzed the recommended algorithm and its implementation by different medical professionals.

Preoperative diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests and histopathological findings of patients who underwent thyroid surgery between 2006 and 2013 were analyzed. The results were stratified by the assignation by specialized endocrinologists (ENP), general practitioners (GP) or Goethe-University Hospital Frankfurt (UKF).

677 patients were enrolled, of these 62% were assigned by UKF, 18.5% by an ENP and 19.5% by a GP. Ultrasonography rate was significantly higher in UKF (97.6%) compared to patients assigned by GP (90.9%, p<0.0001). Rates for fine-needle aspiration cytology ranged between 47.6% in UKF and 23.2% in ENP (p<0.0001). In over 93% of the patients an analysis of thyroid-stimulating hormone and triiodothyronine/thyroxin was realized. The overall malignancy rate was 11.82%. The malignancy rate was significantly higher if a FNA biopsy was performed (16.35 vs. 8.94%; p=0.0048).

A higher malignancy rate could only be seen if the preoperative diagnostic workup included FNA. Besides this, the grade of algorithm adherence showed no effect on the malignancy rate.