bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation and optimization of differentiation conditions for human primary brown adipocytes
Authors: Wang XingYun , You LiangHui , Cui XianWei , Li Yun , Wang Xing , Xu PengFei , Zhu LiJun , Wen Juan , Pang LingXia , Guo XiRong , Ji ChenBo
Published: March 2018

As an effective way to improve energy expenditure, increasing the mass and activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT) has become a promising treatment for obesity and its associated disorders. Many efforts have been made to promote brown adipogenesis and increase the thermogenic capacity of brown adipose cells (BACs). The present culture schemes for human BAC differentiation are mostly derived from white adipocyte differentiation schemes. To solve this issue, we compared the adipogenic and thermogenic effects of various components on human BAC differentiation and optimized their concentrations as well as the culture time for BAC differentiation. In this study, we found that the induction factors did not show a dose-dependent promotion of brown adipogenesis or thermogenic capacity. The higher differentiation levels did not inevitably result in higher BAT-specific gene expression levels or increased β3-receptor agonist sensitivity. As an important element of culture medium, triiodothyronine was found to be essential for differentiation and metabolic property maintenance. Furthermore, compared with other reported methods, this protocol induced a specific intrinsic differentiation program. Our study provides not only an optimized method for human BAC differentiation but also a cell model with good differentiation and thermogenic capacity for brown adipose research.
The impact of circulating preeclampsia-associated extracellular vesicles on the migratory activity and phenotype of THP-1 monocytic cells
Authors: Kovács Árpád Ferenc , Láng Orsolya , Turiák Lilla , Ács András , Kőhidai László , Fekete Nóra , Alasztics Bálint , Mészáros Tamás , Buzás Edit Irén , Rigó János , Pállinger Éva
Published: March 2018

Intercellular communication via extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their target cells, especially immune cells, results in functional and phenotype changes that consequently may play a significant role in various physiological states and the pathogenesis of immune-mediated disorders. Monocytes are the most prominent environment-sensing immune cells in circulation, skilled to shape their microenvironments via cytokine secretion and further differentiation. Both the circulating monocyte subset distribution and the blood plasma EV pattern are characteristic for preeclampsia, a pregnancy induced immune-mediated hypertensive disorder. We hypothesized that preeclampsia-associated EVs (PE-EVs) induced functional and phenotypic alterations of monocytes. First, we proved EV binding and uptake by THP-1 cells. Cellular origin and protein cargo of circulating PE-EVs were characterized by flow cytometry and mass spectrometry. An altered phagocytosis-associated molecular pattern was found on 12.5 K fraction of PE-EVs: an elevated CD47 “don’t eat me” signal (p < 0.01) and decreased exofacial phosphatidylserine “eat-me” signal (p < 0.001) were found along with decreased uptake of these PE-EVs (p < 0.05). The 12.5 K fraction of PE-EVs induced significantly lower chemotaxis (p < 0.01) and cell motility but accelerated cell adhesion of THP-1 cells (p < 0.05). The 12.5 K fraction of PE-EVs induced altered monocyte functions suggest that circulating EVs may have a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Long-range dependence in earthquake-moment release and implications for earthquake occurrence probability
Authors: Barani Simone , Mascandola Claudia , Riccomagno Eva , Spallarossa Daniele , Albarello Dario , Ferretti Gabriele , Scafidi Davide , Augliera Paolo , Massa Marco
Published: March 2018

Since the beginning of the 1980s, when Mandelbrot observed that earthquakes occur on ‘fractal’ self-similar sets, many studies have investigated the dynamical mechanisms that lead to self-similarities in the earthquake process. Interpreting seismicity as a self-similar process is undoubtedly convenient to bypass the physical complexities related to the actual process. Self-similar processes are indeed invariant under suitable scaling of space and time. In this study, we show that long-range dependence is an inherent feature of the seismic process, and is universal. Examination of series of cumulative seismic moment both in Italy and worldwide through Hurst’s rescaled range analysis shows that seismicity is a memory process with a Hurst exponentH≈ 0.87. We observe thatHis substantially space- and time-invariant, except in cases of catalog incompleteness. This has implications for earthquake forecasting. Hence, we have developed a probability model for earthquake occurrence that allows for long-range dependence in the seismic process. Unlike the Poisson model, dependent events are allowed. This model can be easily transferred to other disciplines that deal with self-similar processes.
On the spot: utilization of directional cues in vibrational communication of a stink bug
Authors: Prešern Janez , Polajnar Jernej , de Groot Maarten , Zorović Maja , Virant-Doberlet Meta
Published: March 2018

Although vibrational signalling is among the most ancient and common forms of communication, many fundamental aspects of this communication channel are still poorly understood. Here, we studied mechanisms underlying orientation towards the source of vibrational signals in the stink bug Nezara viridula (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae), where female vibrational song enables male to locate her on the bean plant. At the junction between the main stem and the leaf stalks, male placed his legs on different sides of the branching and orientation at the branching point was not random. Analyses of signal transmission revealed that only a time delay between the arrival of vibrational wave to receptors located in the legs stretched across the branching was a reliable directional cue underlying orientation, since, unexpectedly, the signal amplitude at the branching point was often higher on the stalk away from the female. The plant and the position of the vibrational source on the plant were the most important factors influencing the unpredictability of the amplitude cue. Determined time delays as short as 0.5 ms resulted in marked changes in interneuron activity and the decision model suggests that the behavioural threshold is in the range between 0.3 and 0.5 ms.
Renormalized vibrations and normal energy transport in 1d FPU-like discrete nonlinear Schrödinger equations
Authors: Li Simeng , Li Nianbei
Published: March 2018

For one-dimensional (1d) nonlinear atomic lattices, the models with on-site nonlinearities such as the Frenkel-Kontorova (FK) andϕ4lattices have normal energy transport while the models with inter-site nonlinearities such as the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-β(FPU-β) lattice exhibit anomalous energy transport. The 1d Discrete Nonlinear Schrödinger (DNLS) equations with on-site nonlinearities has been previously studied and normal energy transport has also been found. Here, we investigate the energy transport of 1d FPU-like DNLS equations with inter-site nonlinearities. Extended from the FPU-βlattice, the renormalized vibration theory is developed for the FPU-like DNLS models and the predicted renormalized vibrations are verified by direct numerical simulations same as the FPU-βlattice. However, the energy diffusion processes are explored and normal energy transport is observed for the 1d FPU-like DNLS models, which is different from their atomic lattice counterpart of FPU-βlattice. The reason might be that, unlike nonlinear atomic lattices where models with on-site nonlinearities have one less conserved quantities than the models with inter-site nonlinearities, the DNLS models with on-site or inter-site nonlinearities have the same number of conserved quantities as the result of gauge transformation.
Silent infection of human dendritic cells by African and Asian strains of Zika virus
Authors: Vielle Nathalie J. , Zumkehr Beatrice , García-Nicolás Obdulio , Blank Fabian , Stojanov Miloš , Musso Didier , Baud David , Summerfield Artur , Alves Marco P.
Published: March 2018

While Zika virus (ZIKV) circulated for decades (African lineage strains) without report of outbreaks and severe complications, its emergence in French Polynesia and subsequently in the Americas (Asian lineage strains) was associated with description of severe neurological defects in newborns/neonates and adults. With the aim to identify virus lineage-dependent factors, we compared cell susceptibility, virus replication, cell death and innate immune responses following infection with two African and three contemporary Asian lineage strains of ZIKV. To this end, we used green monkey Vero and Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells and human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs). The latter are involved in the pathogenesis of several mosquito-borne Flavivirus infections. In Vero and C6/36 cells, we observed strain- but not lineage-dependent differences in infection profiles. Nevertheless, in human DCs, no significant differences in susceptibility and virus replication were found between lineages and strains. ZIKV induced antiviral interferon type I/III in a limited fashion, with the exception of one African strain. None of the strains induced cell death or DC maturation in terms of MHC II, CD40, CD80/86 or CCR7 expression. Taken together, our data suggest that a large collection of virus isolates needs to be investigated before conclusions on lineage differences can be made.
Reduced Translocation of Glyphosate and Dicamba in Combination Contributes to Poor Control of Kochia scoparia: Evidence of Herbicide Antagonism
Authors: Ou Junjun , Thompson Curtis R. , Stahlman Phillip W. , Bloedow Nicholas , Jugulam Mithila
Published: March 2018

Kochia scoparia is a troublesome weed across the Great Plains of North America. Glyphosate and dicamba have been used for decades to control K. scoparia. Due to extensive selection, glyphosate- and dicamba-resistant (GDR) K. scoparia have evolved in the USA. Herbicide mixtures are routinely used to improve weed control. Herbicide interactions if result in an antagonistic effect can significantly affect the management of weeds, such as K. scoparia. To uncover the interaction of glyphosate and dicamba when applied in combination in K. scoparia management the efficacies of different doses of glyphosate plus dicamba were evaluated under greenhouse and field conditions using GDR and a known glyphosate- and dicamba-susceptible (GDS) K. scoparia. The results of greenhouse and field studies suggest that the combination of glyphosate and dicamba application controlled GDS, but glyphosate alone provided a better control of GDR K. scoparia compared to glyphosate plus dicamba combinations. Furthermore, investigation of the basis of this response suggested glyphosate and dicamba interact antagonistically and consequently, the translocation of both herbicides was significantly reduced resulting in poor control of K. scoparia. Therefore, a combination of glyphosate plus dicamba may not be a viable option to control GDR K. scoparia.
Efficient decomposition methods for controlled-R
n
using a single ancillary qubit
Authors: Kim Taewan , Choi Byung-Soo
Published: March 2018

We consider decomposition for a controlled-R
n
gate with a standard set of universal gates. For this problem, a method exists that uses a single ancillary qubit to reduce the number of gates. In this work, we extend this method to three ends. First, we find a method that can decompose into fewer gates than the best known results in decomposition of controlled-R
n
. We also confirm that the proposed method reduces the total number of gates of the quantum Fourier transform. Second, we propose another efficient decomposition that can be mapped to a nearest-neighbor architecture with only local CNOT gates. Finally, we find a method that can minimize the depth to 5 gate steps in a nearest-neighbor architecture with only local CNOT gates.
Biomimetic Moth-eye Nanofabrication: Enhanced Antireflection with Superior Self-cleaning Characteristic
Authors: Sun Jingyao , Wang Xiaobing , Wu Jinghua , Jiang Chong , Shen Jingjing , Cooper Merideth A. , Zheng Xiuting , Liu Ying , Yang Zhaogang , Wu Daming
Published: March 2018

Sub-wavelength antireflection moth-eye structures were fabricated with Nickel mold using Roll-to-Plate (R2P) ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) on transparent polycarbonate (PC) substrates. Samples with well replicated patterns established an average reflection of 1.21% in the visible light range, 380 to 760 nm, at normal incidence. An excellent antireflection property of a wide range of incidence angles was shown with the average reflection below 4% at 50°. Compared with the unpatterned ultraviolet-curable resin coating, the resulting sub-wavelength moth-eye structure also exhibited increased hydrophobicity in addition to antireflection. This R2P method is especially suitable for large-area product preparation and the biomimetic moth-eye structure with multiple performances can be applied to optical devices such as display screens, solar cells, or light emitting diodes.
Association between DNA methylation in cord blood and maternal smoking: The Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children’s Health
Authors: Miyake Kunio , Kawaguchi Akio , Miura Ryu , Kobayashi Sachiko , Tran Nguyen Quoc Vuong , Kobayashi Sumitaka , Miyashita Chihiro , Araki Atsuko , Kubota Takeo , Yamagata Zentaro , Kishi Reiko
Published: March 2018

Maternal smoking is reported to cause adverse effects on the health of the unborn child, the underlying mechanism for which is thought to involve alterations in DNA methylation. We examined the effects of maternal smoking on DNA methylation in cord blood, in 247 mother–infant pairs in the Sapporo cohort of the Hokkaido Study, using the Infinium HumanMethylation 450K BeadChip. We first identified differentially methylated CpG sites with a false discovery rate (FDR) of <0.05 and the magnitude of DNA methylation changes (|β| >0.02) from the pairwise comparisons of never-smokers (Ne-S), sustained-smokers (Su-S), and stopped-smokers (St-S). Subsequently, secondary comparisons between St-S and Su-S revealed nine common sites that mapped to ACSM3, AHRR, CYP1A1, GFI1, SHANK2, TRIM36, and the intergenic region between ANKRD9 and RCOR1 in Ne-S vs. Su-S, and one common CpG site mapping to EVC2 in Ne-S vs. St-S. Further, we verified these CpG sites and examined neighbouring sites using bisulfite next-generation sequencing, except for AHRR cg21161138. These changes in DNA methylation implicate the effect of smoking cessation. Our findings add to the current knowledge of the association between DNA methylation and maternal smoking and suggest future studies for clarifying this relationship in disease development.
Global dynamics of stage-specific transcription factor binding during thymocyte development
Authors: Hosoya Tomonori , D’Oliveira Albanus Ricardo , Hensley John , Myers Greggory , Kyono Yasuhiro , Kitzman Jacob , Parker Stephen C. J. , Engel James Douglas
Published: March 2018

In vertebrates, multiple transcription factors (TFs) bind to gene regulatory elements (promoters, enhancers, and silencers) to execute developmental expression changes. ChIP experiments are often used to identify where TFs bind to regulatory elements in the genome, but the requirement of TF-specific antibodies hampers analyses of tens of TFs at multiple loci. Here we tested whether TF binding predictions using ATAC-seq can be used to infer the identity of TFs that bind to functionally validated enhancers of theCd4,Cd8, andGata3genes in thymocytes. We performed ATAC-seq at four distinct stages of development in mouse thymus, probing the chromatin accessibility landscape in double negative (DN), double positive (DP), CD4 single positive (SP4) and CD8 SP (SP8) thymocytes. Integration of chromatin accessibility with TF motifs genome-wide allowed us to infer stage-specific occupied TF binding sites within known and potentially novel regulatory elements. Our results provide genome-wide stage-specific T cell open chromatin profiles, and allow the identification of candidate TFs that drive thymocyte differentiation at each developmental stage.
A quantum mechanical computational method for modeling electrostatic and solvation effects of protein
Authors: Wang Xianwei , Li Yang , Gao Ya , Yang Zejin , Lu Chenhui , Zhu Tong
Published: March 2018

An efficient computational approach for modeling protein electrostatic is developed according to static point-charge model distributions based on the linear-scaling EE-GMFCC (electrostatically embedded generalized molecular fractionation with conjugate caps) quantum mechanical (QM) method. In this approach, the Electrostatic-Potential atomic charges are obtained from ab initio calculation of protein, both polarization and charge transfer effect are taken into consideration. This approach shows a significant improvement in the description of electrostatic potential and solvation energy of proteins comparing with current popular molecular mechanics (MM) force fields. Therefore, it has gorgeous prospect in many applications, including accurate calculations of electric field or vibrational Stark spectroscopy in proteins and predicting protein-ligand binding affinity. It can also be applied in QM/MM calculations or electronic embedding method of ONIOM to provide a better electrostatic environment.
Clear variation of spin splitting by changing electron distribution at non-magnetic metal/Bi2O3 interfaces
Authors: Tsai Hanshen , Karube Shutaro , Kondou Kouta , Yamaguchi Naoya , Ishii Fumiyuki , Otani Yoshichika
Published: March 2018

Large spin splitting at Rashba interface, giving rise to strong spin-momentum locking, is essential for efficient spin-to-charge conversion. Recently, a Cu/Bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) interface has been found to exhibit an efficient spin-to-charge conversion similar to a Ag/Bi interface with large Rashba spin splitting. However, the guiding principle of designing the metal/oxide interface for the efficient conversion has not been clarified yet. Here we report strong non-magnetic (NM) material dependence of spin splitting at NM/Bi2O3 interfaces. We employed spin pumping technique to inject spin current into the interface and evaluated the magnitude of interfacial spin-to-charge conversion. We observed large modulation and sign change in conversion coefficient which corresponds to the variation of spin splitting. Our experimental results together with first-principles calculations indicate that such large variation is caused by material dependent electron distribution near the interface. The results suggest that control of interfacial electron distribution by tuning the difference in work function across the interface may be an effective way to tune the magnitude and sign of spin-to-charge conversion and Rashba parameter at interface.
Attentional advantages in video-game experts are not related to perceptual tendencies
Authors: Wong Nicole H. L. , Chang Dorita H. F.
Published: March 2018

Previous studies have suggested that extensive action video gaming may enhance perceptual and attentional capacities. Here, we probed whether attentional differences between video-game experts and non-experts hold when attention is selectively directed at global or local structures. We measured performance on a modified attentional-blink task using hierarchically structured stimuli that consisted of global and local elements. Stimuli carried congruent or incongruent information. In two experiments, we asked observers to direct their attention globally (Experiment 1) or locally (Experiment 2). In each RSVP trial, observers were asked to identify the identity of an initial target (T1), and detect the presence or absence of a second target (T2). Experts showed a markedly attenuated attentional blink, as quantified by higher T2 detection sensitivity, relative to non-experts, in both global and local tasks. Notably, experts and non-experts were comparably affected by stimulus congruency. We speculate that the observed visuo-attentional advantage is unlikely to be related to mere differences perceptual tendencies (i.e., greater global precedence), which has been previously associated with diminished attentional blink.
Genome-wide comparative and evolutionary analysis of Calmodulin-binding Transcription Activator (CAMTA) family in Gossypium species
Authors: Pant Poonam , Iqbal Zahra , Pandey Bhoopendra K. , Sawant Samir V.
Published: March 2018

The CAMTA gene family is crucial in managing both biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. Our comprehensive analysis of this gene family in cotton resulted in the identification of 6, 7 and 9 CAMTAs in three sequenced cotton species, i.e., Gossypium arboreum, Gossypium raimondii, and Gossypium hirsutum, respectively. All cotton CAMTAs were localized in the nucleus and possessed calmodulin-binding domain (CaMBD) as identified computationally. Phylogenetically four significant groups of cotton CAMTAs were identified out of which, Group II CAMTAs experienced higher evolutionary pressure, leading to a faster evolution in diploid cotton. The expansion of cotton CAMTAs in the genome was mainly due to segmental duplication. Purifying selection played a significant role in the evolution of cotton CAMTAs. Expression profiles of GhCAMTAs revealed that GhCAMTA2A.2 and GhCAMTA7A express profoundly in different stages of cotton fiber development. Positive correlation between expression of these two CAMTAs and fiber strength confirmed their functional relevance in fiber development. The promoter region of co-expressing genes network of GhCAMTA2A.2 and GhCAMTA7A showed a higher frequency of occurrence of CAMTA binding motifs. Our present study thus contributes to broad probing into the structure and probable function of CAMTA genes in Gossypium species.
Circulating Levels of Inflammatory Proteins and Survival in Patients with Gallbladder Cancer
Authors: Liu Zhiwei , Kemp Troy J. , Gao Yu-Tang , Corbel Amanda , McGee Emma E. , Roa Juan Carlos , Wang Bingsheng , Araya Juan Carlos , Shen Ming-Chang , Rashid Asif , Hsing Ann W. , Hildesheim Allan , Ferreccio Catterina , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Pinto Ligia A. , Koshiol Jill
Published: March 2018

Although inflammation is central to gallbladder cancer (GBC) development and proliferation, no study has systematically investigated circulating inflammatory proteins and patient survival. We aimed to examine whether the circulating levels of inflammatory proteins is associated with all-cause mortality among such patients. We recruited 134 patients with newly diagnosed with GBC from 1997 to 2001 in a population-based study in Shanghai and an independent set of 35 patients from 2012 to 2013 in Chile. Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for covariates were used to evaluate the hazard ratios (HRs) for death by serum levels of 49 inflammatory proteins (quartiles). Of 49 evaluable proteins, eight were significantly associated with overall survival. Seven were associated with a poorer survival, while the highest levels of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) were associated with an increase in survival (HR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.14, 0.47). No substantial difference in the magnitude of the association was observed between early- and late-stages of GBC. Of seven proteins, five were validated in the patients from Chile. Reducing inflammation and targeting pathways associated with increased survival might improve GBC outcomes. The potential for using a TRAIL-related anticancer drug for GBC treatment merits further investigation.
Abundant fish protein inhibits α-synuclein amyloid formation
Authors: Werner Tony , Kumar Ranjeet , Horvath Istvan , Scheers Nathalie , Wittung-Stafshede Pernilla
Published: March 2018

The most common allergen in fish, the highly-abundant protein β-parvalbumin, forms amyloid structures as a way to avoid gastrointestinal degradation and transit to the blood. In humans, the same amyloid structures are mostly associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. We here assessed a putative connection between these amyloids using recombinant Atlantic cod β-parvalbumin and the key amyloidogenic protein in Parkinson’s disease, α-synuclein. Using a set of in vitro biophysical methods, we discovered that β-parvalbumin readily inhibits amyloid formation of α-synuclein. The underlying mechanism was found to involve α-synuclein binding to the surface of β-parvalbumin amyloid fibers. In addition to being a new amyloid inhibition mechanism, the data suggest that health benefits of fish may be explained in part by cross-reaction of β-parvalbumin with human amyloidogenic proteins.
Mechanical Enhancement of Core-Shell Microlattices through High-Entropy Alloy Coating
Authors: Surjadi James Utama , Gao Libo , Cao Ke , Fan Rong , Lu Yang
Published: March 2018

Mechanical metamaterials such as microlattices are an emerging kind of new materials that utilize the combination of structural enhancement effect by geometrical modification and the intrinsic properties of its material constituents. Prior studies have reported the mechanical properties of ceramic or metal-coated composite lattices. However, the scalable synthesis and characterization of high-entropy alloy (HEA) as thin film coating for such cellular materials have not been studied previously. In this work, stereolithography was combined with Radio Frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering to conformally deposit a thin layer (~800 nm) of CrMnFeCoNi HEA film onto a polymer template to produce HEA-coated three-dimensional (3D) core-shell microlattice structures for the first time. The presented polymer/HEA hybrid microlattice exhibits high specific compressive strength (~0.018 MPa kg−1m3) at a density well below 1000 kg m−3, significantly enhanced stiffness (>5 times), and superior elastic recoverability compared to its polymer counterpart due to its composite nature. The findings imply that this highly scalable and effective route to synthesizing HEA-coated microlattices have the potential to produce novel metamaterials with desirable properties to cater specialized engineering applications.
Von Willebrand factor and ADAMTS13 activity in relation to risk of dementia: a population-based study
Authors: Wolters Frank J. , Boender Johan , de Vries Paul S. , Sonneveld Michelle A. , Koudstaal Peter J. , de Maat Moniek P. , Franco Oscar H. , Ikram M. Kamran , Leebeek Frank W. , Ikram M. Arfan
Published: March 2018

Low ADAMTS13 activity is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, which is generally attributed to its proteolytic effects on Von Willebrand factor (VWF). Cardiovascular health is an important determinant of cognitive decline, but the association of either VWF or ADAMTS13 with risk of dementia is unknown. Between 1997–2002, we measured VWF antigen and ADAMTS13 activity in 6055 participants of the population-based Rotterdam Study (mean age 69.3 years, 57.2% women). At baseline, 85 participants had dementia, and during 15 years of follow-up 821 developed dementia. Higher VWF was associated with prevalence and risk of dementia, unaffected by concurrent ADAMTS13 activity, but estimates strongly attenuated over time and were no longer statistically significant at 4 years of follow-up (relative risks [95% CI] per standard deviation increase– cross-sectional: 1.37 [1.06–1.77], and longitudinal: 1.05 [0.97–1.14]). In contrast, low ADAMTS13 was associated with increased risk of dementia throughout follow-up (hazard ratio per SD decrease– 1.16 [1.06–1.28]), which alike for ischaemic stroke, was modified by the presence of diabetes (P-interaction = 0.003). In conclusion, higher VWF and low ADAMTS13 activity are associated with increased risk of dementia, but differences in time-course and lack of synergistic effects may indicate in part independent underlying mechanisms.
Impact of Systemic Volume Status on Cardiac Magnetic Resonance T1 Mapping
Authors: Antlanger Marlies , Aschauer Stefan , Kammerlander Andreas A. , Duca Franz , Säemann Marcus D. , Bonderman Diana , Mascherbauer Julia
Published: March 2018

Diffuse myocardial fibrosis is a key pathophysiologic feature in heart failure and can be quantified by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T1 mapping. However, increases in myocardial free water also prolong native T1 times and may impact fibrosis quantification. Thus far, the impact of systemic patient volume status remains unclear. In this study, native T1 time by CMR was investigated in hemodialysis (HD) patients (n = 37) and compared with healthy controls (n = 35). Volume status was quantified by bioimpedance spectroscopy and correlated with CMR T1 time. While no differences between HD patients and controls were present with regard to age (p = 0.180), height (p = 0.535), weight (p = 0.559) and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (p = 0.273), cardiac size was significantly larger in HD patients (LV end-diastolic volume 164 ± 53 vs. 132 ± 26 ml, p = 0.002). Fluid overloaded HD patients had significantly longer native T1 times than normovolemic HD patients and healthy controls (1,042 ± 46 vs. 1,005 ± 49 vs. 998 ± 47 ms, p = 0.030). By regression analysis, T1 time was significantly associated with fluid status (r = 0.530, p = 0.009, post-HD fluid status). Our data strongly indicate that native CMR T1 time is significantly influenced by systemic volume status. As fluid overload is common in patients with cardiovascular diseases, this finding is important and requires further study.
Directed -in vitro- evolution of Precambrian and extant Rubiscos
Authors: Gomez-Fernandez Bernardo J. , Garcia-Ruiz Eva , Martin-Diaz Javier , Gomez de Santos Patricia , Santos-Moriano Paloma , Plou Francisco J. , Ballesteros Antonio , Garcia Monica , Rodriguez Marisa , Risso Valeria A. , Sanchez-Ruiz Jose M. , Whitney Spencer M. , Alcalde Miguel
Published: March 2018

Rubisco is an ancient, catalytically conserved yet slow enzyme, which plays a central role in the biosphere’s carbon cycle. The design of Rubiscos to increase agricultural productivity has hitherto relied on the use ofin vivoselection systems, precluding the exploration of biochemical traits that are not wired to cell survival. We present a directed -in vitro- evolution platform that extracts the enzyme from its biological context to provide a new avenue for Rubisco engineering. Precambrian and extant form II Rubiscos were subjected to an ensemble of directed evolution strategies aimed at improving thermostability. The most recent ancestor of proteobacteria -dating back 2.4 billion years- was uniquely tolerant to mutagenic loading. Adaptive evolution, focused evolution and genetic drift revealed a panel of thermostable mutants, some deviating from the characteristic trade-offs in CO2-fixing speed and specificity. Our findings provide a novel approach for identifying Rubisco variants with improved catalytic evolution potential.
High-Density Genetic Map Construction and Identification of QTLs Controlling Oleic and Linoleic Acid in Peanut using SLAF-seq and SSRs
Authors: Hu X. H. , Zhang S. Z. , Miao H. R. , Cui F. G. , Shen Y. , Yang W. Q. , Xu T. T. , Chen N. , Chi X. Y. , Zhang Z. M. , Chen J.
Published: March 2018

The cultivated peanut,A. hypogaeaL., is an important oil and food crop globally.High-density genetic linkage mapping is a valuable and effective method for exploring complex quantitative traits. In this context, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) of 146 lines was developed by crossing Huayu28 and P76. We developed 433,679 high-quality SLAFs, of which 29,075 were polymorphic. 4,817 SLAFs were encoded and grouped into different segregation patterns. A high-resolution genetic map containing 2,334 markers (68 SSRs and 2,266 SNPs) on 20 linkage groups (LGs) spanning 2586.37 cM was constructed for peanut. The average distance between adjacent markers was 2.25 cM. Based on phenotyping in seven environments, QTLs for oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2) and the ratio of oleic acid to linoleic acid (O/L) were identified and positioned on linkage groups A03, A04, A09, B09 and B10. Marker2575339 and Marker2379598 in B09 were associated with C18:1, C18:2 and O/L in seven environments, Marker4391589 and Marker4463600 in A09 were associated with C18:1, C18:2 and O/L in six environments. This map exhibits high resolution and accuracy, which will facilitate QTL discovery for essential agronomic traits in peanut.
Implementation, coverage and equity of large-scale door-to-door delivery of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) to children under 10 in Senegal
Authors: Bâ El-Hadj , Pitt Catherine , Dial Yankhoba , Faye Sylvain Landry , Cairns Matt , Faye Ernest , Ndiaye Mouhamed , Gomis Jules-Francois , Faye Babacar , Ndiaye Jean Louis , Sokhna Cheikh , Gaye Oumar , Cissé Badara , Milligan Paul
Published: March 2018

SMC has been introduced widely in the Sahel since its recommendation by WHO in 2012. This study, which provided evidence of feasibility that supported the recommendation, included school-age and pre-school children. School-age children were not included in the 2012 recommendation but bear an increasing proportion of cases. In 2006, consultations with health-staff were held to choose delivery methods. The preferred approach, door-to-door with the first daily-dose supervised by a community-health-worker (CHW), was piloted and subsequently evaluated on a large-scale in under-5’s in 2008 and then in under-10’s 2009–2010. Coverage was higher among school-age children (96%(95%CI 94%,98%) received three treatments in 2010) than among under 5’s (90%(86%,94%)). SMC was more equitable than LLINs (odds-ratio for increase in coverage for a one-level rise in socioeconomic-ranking (a 5-point scale), was 1.1 (0.95,1.2) in 2009, compared with OR 1.3 (1.2,1.5) for sleeping under an LLIN. Effective communication was important in achieving high levels of uptake. Continued training and supervision were needed to ensure CHWs adhered to treatment guidelines. SMC door-to-door can, if carefully supervised, achieve high equitable coverage and high-quality delivery. SMC programmes can be adapted to include school-age children, a neglected group that bears a substantial burden of malaria.
Proteolysis inhibition by hibernating bear serum leads to increased protein content in human muscle cells
Authors: Chanon Stéphanie , Chazarin Blandine , Toubhans Benoit , Durand Christine , Chery Isabelle , Robert Maud , Vieille-Marchiset Aurélie , Swenson Jon E. , Zedrosser Andreas , Evans Alina L. , Brunberg Sven , Arnemo Jon M. , Gauquelin-Koch Guillemette , Storey Kenneth B. , Simon Chantal , Blanc Stéphane , Bertile Fabrice , Lefai Etienne
Published: March 2018

Muscle atrophy is one of the main characteristics of human ageing and physical inactivity, with resulting adverse health outcomes. To date, there are still no efficient therapeutic strategies for its prevention and/or treatment. However, during hibernation, bears exhibit a unique ability for preserving muscle in conditions where muscle atrophy would be expected in humans. Therefore, our objective was to determine whether there are components of bear serum which can control protein balance in human muscles. In this study, we exposed cultured human differentiated muscle cells to bear serum collected during winter and summer periods, and measured the impact on cell protein content and turnover. In addition, we explored the signalling pathways that control rates of protein synthesis and degradation. We show that the protein turnover of human myotubes is reduced when incubated with winter bear serum, with a dramatic inhibition of proteolysis involving both proteasomal and lysosomal systems, and resulting in an increase in muscle cell protein content. By modulating intracellular signalling pathways and inducing a protein sparing phenotype in human muscle cells, winter bear serum therefore holds potential for developing new tools to fight human muscle atrophy and related metabolic disorders.
Facile fabrication of wire-type indium gallium zinc oxide thin-film transistors applicable to ultrasensitive flexible sensors
Authors: Kim Yeong-gyu , Tak Young Jun , Kim Hee Jun , Kim Won-Gi , Yoo Hyukjoon , Kim Hyun Jae
Published: March 2018

We fabricated wire-type indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) using a self-formed cracked template based on a lift-off process. The electrical characteristics of wire-type IGZO TFTs could be controlled by changing the width and density of IGZO wires through varying the coating conditions of template solution or multi-stacking additional layers. The fabricated wire-type devices were applied to sensors after functionalizing the surface. The wire-type pH sensor showed a sensitivity of 45.4 mV/pH, and this value was an improved sensitivity compared with that of the film-type device (27.6 mV/pH). Similarly, when the wire-type device was used as a glucose sensor, it showed more variation in electrical characteristics than the film-type device. The improved sensing properties resulted from the large surface area of the wire-type device compared with that of the film-type device. In addition, we fabricated wire-type IGZO TFTs on flexible substrates and confirmed that such structures were very resistant to mechanical stresses at a bending radius of 10 mm.
Novel Chlamydia species isolated from snakes are temperature-sensitive and exhibit decreased susceptibility to azithromycin
Authors: Staub Eveline , Marti Hanna , Biondi Roberta , Levi Aurora , Donati Manuela , Leonard Cory Ann , Ley Serej D. , Pillonel Trestan , Greub Gilbert , Seth-Smith Helena M. B. , Borel Nicole
Published: March 2018

Chlamydia species have recently been recognized as emerging pathogens in snakes. However, isolation of novel snake chlamydiae is critical and their growth characteristics are largely unknown. In this study, two novel chlamydial species are described: Chlamydia serpentis and Chlamydia poikilothermis, isolated after attempts on 23 cloacal and choanal swabs from 18 PCR-positive captive snakes originating from different Swiss snake collections. Isolation success, growth curve and infectivity rates over a 48-hour time period were dependent on temperature (37 °C for C. serpentis, 28 °C for C. poikilothermis). C. serpentis and C. poikilothermis were sensitive to tetracycline and moxifloxacin during evaluation by in vitro antibiotic susceptibility assay but intermediate to resistant (2–4 μg/ml) to azithromycin. Whole genome sequencing of the isolates provided proof of the novel species status, and gives insights into the evolution of these branches of genus Chlamydia.
Effect of Phosphatidylserine and Cholesterol on Membrane-mediated Fibril Formation by the N-terminal Amyloidogenic Fragment of Apolipoprotein A-I
Authors: Mizuguchi Chiharu , Nakamura Mitsuki , Kurimitsu Naoko , Ohgita Takashi , Nishitsuji Kazuchika , Baba Teruhiko , Shigenaga Akira , Shimanouchi Toshinori , Okuhira Keiichiro , Otaka Akira , Saito Hiroyuki
Published: March 2018

Here, we examined the effects of phosphatidylserine (PS) and cholesterol on the fibril-forming properties of the N-terminal 1‒83 fragment of an amyloidogenic G26R variant of apoA-I bound to small unilamellar vesicles. A thioflavin T fluorescence assay together with microscopic observations showed that PS significantly retards the nucleation step in fibril formation by apoA-I 1‒83/G26R, whereas cholesterol slightly enhances fibril formation. Circular dichroism analyses demonstrated that PS facilitates a structural transition from random coil to α-helix in apoA-I 1‒83/G26R with great stabilization of the α-helical structure upon lipid binding. Isothermal titration calorimetry measurements revealed that PS induces a marked increase in capacity for binding of apoA-I 1‒83/G26R to the membrane surface, perhaps due to electrostatic interactions of positively charged amino acids in apoA-I with PS. Such effects of PS to enhance lipid interactions and inhibit fibril formation of apoA-I were also observed for the amyloidogenic region-containing apoA-I 8‒33/G26R peptide. Fluorescence measurements using environment-sensitive probes indicated that PS induces a more solvent-exposed, membrane-bound conformation in the amyloidogenic region of apoA-I without affecting membrane fluidity. Since cell membranes have highly heterogeneous lipid compositions, our findings may provide a molecular basis for the preferential deposition of apoA-I amyloid fibrils in tissues and organs.
Anthropogenic disturbance keeps the coastal seafloor biogeochemistry in a transient state
Authors: van de Velde Sebastiaan , Van Lancker Vera , Hidalgo-Martinez Silvia , Berelson William M. , Meysman Filip J. R.
Published: March 2018

Coastal sediments and continental shelves play a crucial role in global biogeochemistry, as they form the prime site of organic carbon burial. Bottom trawling and dredging are known to increasingly impact the coastal seafloor through relocation and homogenisation of sediments, yet little is known about the effects of such anthropogenic sediment reworking on the overall cycling of carbon and other elements within the coastal seafloor. Here, we document the transient recovery of the seafloor biogeochemistry after an in situ disturbance. Evidence from pore-water data and model simulations reveal a short-term increase in the overall carbon mineralisation rate, as well as a longer-term shift in the redox pathways of organic matter mineralisation, favouring organoclastic sulphate reduction over methane formation. This data suggests that anthropogenic sediment reworking could have a sizeable impact on the carbon cycle in cohesive sediments on continental shelves. This imprint will increase in the near future, along with the growing economic exploitation of the coastal ocean.
Adsorption and protective behavior of BTAH on the initial atmospheric corrosion process of copper under thin film of chloride solutions
Authors: Yi Chenxi , Zhu Benfeng , Chen Yu , Du Xiaoqing , Yang Yumeng , Liu Jiao , Zhang Zhao
Published: March 2018

The initial corrosion process of copper and the corrosion resistance mechanism of Benzotriazole under chloride-containing thin electrolyte layer (TEL) was investigated. After theoretical calculation and experimental characterization, the forming process of [Cu(I)BTA]nfilm was chemically adsorbed on copper surface by Cu-N bond tightly; corrosion rate increased as TEL thickness decreased. Whilst, energy distribution plot of electrochemical noise provided the validity of corrosion type, and the purported corrosion energy (Ec) deduced from electrochemical noise was approximately proportion to corrosion rate (1/Rct) with and without the anticorrosion film, which denoted the feasibility to determine corrosion rate by nondestructive on-line monitoring electrochemical noise progress.
Dynamic changes in Japan’s prevalence of abnormal findings in cervical cytology depending on birth year
Authors: Ueda Yutaka , Yagi Asami , Nakayama Tomio , Hirai Kei , Ikeda Sayaka , Sekine Masayuki , Miyagi Etsuko , Enomoto Takayuki
Published: March 2018

Japan’s governmental recommendation of HPV vaccine has now been suspended for more than 4 years. In and before 2013, the targets of 20-year-old cervical cancer screening were females born in and before 1993, i.e., those who could not have received HPV vaccination because it was not yet publicly introduced. The targets during 2014–2019 are, or will be, those born in 1994–1999, i.e., those who came of age during a period with the highest HPV immunization rate. We analyzed the statistical data for each birth year, for the cumulative HPV vaccination rates achieved as of age 16, and for the corresponding results of cervical cancer screening at age 20. The rate of abnormal findings in cervical cytology increased slightly from 3.68% in 2010 (birth year: 1990) to 4.35% in 2013 (birth year: 1993); however, it dynamically dropped to 2.99% in 2014 (birth year: 1994) and 3.03% in 2015 (birth year: 1995). In total, the rate of abnormal findings in cervical cytology was 3.96% in 2010–2013, but significantly dropped to 3.01% in 2014–2015 (p = 0.014). This is the first description of dynamic changes occurring in the abnormal rate of cervical cancer screening as a result of positive changes in national HPV vaccination rates.
Spin-orbit torque magnetometry by wide-field magneto-optical Kerr effect
Authors: Tsai Tsung-Yu , Chen Tian-Yue , Wu Chun-Ting , Chan Hsin-I , Pai Chi-Feng
Published: March 2018

Magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) is an efficient approach to probe surface magnetization in thin film samples. Here we present a wide-field MOKE technique that adopts a Köhler illumination scheme to characterize the current-induced damping-like spin-orbit torque (DL-SOT) in micron-sized and unpatterned magnetic heterostructures with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Through a current-induced hysteresis loop shift analysis, we quantify the DL-SOT efficiency of a Ta-based heterostructure with bar-shaped geometry, Hall-cross geometry, and unpatterned geometry to be |ξ
DL
| ≈ 0.08. The proposed wide-field MOKE approach therefore provides an instant and direct characterization of DL-SOT, without the need of any further interpretation on electrical signals.
Molecular characterization of the first saltwater crocodilepox virus genome sequences from the world’s largest living member of the Crocodylia
Authors: Sarker Subir , Isberg Sally R. , Milic Natalie L. , Lock Peter , Helbig Karla J.
Published: March 2018

Crocodilepox virus is a large dsDNA virus belonging to the genus Crocodylidpoxvirus, which infects a wide range of host species in the order Crocodylia worldwide. Here, we present genome sequences for a novel saltwater crocodilepox virus, with two subtypes (SwCRV-1 and -2), isolated from the Australian saltwater crocodile. Affected belly skins of juvenile saltwater crocodiles were used to sequence complete viral genomes, and perform electron microscopic analysis that visualized immature and mature virions. Analysis of the SwCRV genomes showed a high degree of sequence similarity to CRV (84.53% and 83.70%, respectively), with the novel SwCRV-1 and -2 complete genome sequences missing 5 and 6 genes respectively when compared to CRV, but containing 45 and 44 predicted unique genes. Similar to CRV, SwCRV also lacks the genes involved in virulence and host range, however, considering the presence of numerous hypothetical and or unique genes in the SwCRV genomes, it is completely reasonable that the genes encoding these functions are present but not recognized. Phylogenetic analysis suggested a monophyletic relationship between SwCRV and CRV, however, SwCRV is quite distinct from other chordopoxvirus genomes. These are the first SwCRV complete genome sequences isolated from saltwater crocodile skin lesions.
Traumatic Brain Injury Leads to Accelerated Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E Deficient Mice
Authors: Wang Jintao , Su Enming , Wang Hui , Guo Chiao , Lawrence Daniel A. , Eitzman Daniel T.
Published: March 2018

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular mortality in humans. However the causal relationship between TBI and vascular disease is unclear. This study investigated the direct role of TBI on vascular disease using a murine model of atherosclerosis. Apolipoprotein E deficient mice were placed on a western diet beginning at 10 weeks of age. Induction of TBI or a sham operation was performed at 14 weeks of age and mice were sacrificed 6 weeks later at 20 weeks of age. MRI revealed evidence of uniform brain injury in all mice subjected to TBI. There were no differences in total cholesterol levels or blood pressure between the groups. Complete blood counts and flow cytometry analysis performed on peripheral blood 6 weeks following TBI revealed a higher percentage of Ly6C-high monocytes in mice subjected to TBI compared to sham-treated mice. Mice with TBI also showed elevated levels of plasma soluble E-selectin and bone marrow tyrosine hydroxylase. Analysis of atherosclerosis at the time of sacrifice revealed increased atherosclerosis with increased Ly6C/G immunostaining in TBI mice compared to sham-treated mice. In conclusion, progression of atherosclerosis is accelerated following TBI. Targeting inflammatory pathways in patients with TBI may reduce subsequent vascular complications.