bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliable and cost effective design of intermetallic Ni2Si nanowires and direct characterization of its mechanical properties
Authors: Han Seung Zeon , Kang Joonhee , Kim Sung-Dae , Choi Si-Young , Kim Hyung Giun , Lee Jehyun , Kim Kwangho , Lim Sung Hwan , Han Byungchan
Published: October 2015

We report that a single crystal Ni2Si nanowire (NW) of intermetallic compound can be reliably designed using simple three-step processes: casting a ternary Cu-Ni-Si alloy, nucleate and growth of Ni2Si NWs as embedded in the alloy matrix via designing discontinuous precipitation (DP) of Ni2Si nanoparticles and thermal aging and finally chemical etching to decouple the Ni2Si NWs from the alloy matrix. By direct application of uniaxial tensile tests to the Ni2Si NW we characterize its mechanical properties, which were rarely reported in previous literatures. Using integrated studies of first principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) we accurately validate the experimental measurements. Our results indicate that our simple three-step method enables to design brittle Ni2Si NW with high tensile strength of 3.0 GPa and elastic modulus of 60.6 GPa. We propose that the systematic methodology pursued in this paper significantly contributes to opening innovative processes to design various kinds of low dimensional nanomaterials leading to advancement of frontiers in nanotechnology and related industry sectors.
Discovering neutralizing antibodies targeting the stem epitope of H1N1 influenza hemagglutinin with synthetic phage-displayed antibody libraries
Authors: Tung Chao-Ping , Chen Ing-Chien , Yu Chung-Ming , Peng Hung-Pin , Jian Jhih-Wei , Ma Shiou-Hwa , Lee Yu-Ching , Jan Jia-Tsrong , Yang An-Suei
Published: October 2015

Broadly neutralizing antibodies developed from the IGHV1–69 germline gene are known to bind to the stem region of hemagglutinin in diverse influenza viruses but the sequence determinants for the antigen recognition, including neutralization potency and binding affinity, are not clearly understood. Such understanding could inform designs of synthetic antibody libraries targeting the stem epitope on hemagglutinin, leading to artificially designed antibodies that are functionally advantageous over antibodies from natural antibody repertoires. In this work, the sequence space of the complementarity determining regions of a broadly neutralizing antibody (F10) targeting the stem epitope on the hemagglutinin of a strain of H1N1 influenza virus was systematically explored; the elucidated antibody-hemagglutinin recognition principles were used to design a phage-displayed antibody library, which was then used to discover neutralizing antibodies against another strain of H1N1 virus. More than 1000 functional antibody candidates were selected from the antibody library and were shown to neutralize the corresponding strain of influenza virus with up to 7 folds higher potency comparing with the parent F10 antibody. The antibody library could be used to discover functionally effective antibodies against other H1N1 influenza viruses, supporting the notion that target-specific antibody libraries can be designed and constructed with systematic sequence-function information.
Structure of importin-α bound to a non-classical nuclear localization signal of the influenza A virus nucleoprotein
Authors: Nakada Ryohei , Hirano Hidemi , Matsuura Yoshiyuki
Published: October 2015

A non-classical nuclear localization signal (ncNLS) of influenza A virus nucleoprotein (NP) is critical for nuclear import of viral genomic RNAs that transcribe and replicate in the nucleus of infected cells. Here we report a 2.3 Å resolution crystal structure of mouse importin-α1 in complex with NP ncNLS. The structure reveals that NP ncNLS binds specifically and exclusively to the minor NLS-binding site of importin-α. Structural and functional analyses identify key binding pockets on importin-α as potential targets for antiviral drug development. Unlike many other NLSs, NP ncNLS binds to the NLS-binding domain of importin-α weakly with micromolar affinity. These results suggest that a modest inhibitor with low affinity to importin-α could have anti-influenza activity with minimal cytotoxicity.
Pressure-Induced Amorphization of Small Pore Zeolites—the Role of Cation-H2O Topology and Anti-glass Formation
Authors: Chan Hwang Gil , Joo Shin Tae , Blom Douglas A. , Vogt Thomas , Lee Yongjae
Published: October 2015

Systematic studies of pressure-induced amorphization of natrolites (PIA) containing monovalent extra-framework cations (EFC) Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+ allow us to assess the role of two different EFC-H2O configurations within the pores of a zeolite: one arrangement has H2O molecules (NATI) and the other the EFC (NATII) in closer proximity to the aluminosilicate framework. We show that NATI materials have a lower onset pressure of PIA than the NATII materials containing Rb and Cs as EFC. The onset pressure of amorphization (PA) of NATII materials increases linearly with the size of the EFC, whereas their initial bulk moduli (P1 phase) decrease linearly. Only Cs- and Rb-NAT reveal a phase separation into a dense form (P2 phase) under pressure. High-Angle Annular Dark Field Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (HAADF-STEM) imaging shows that after recovery from pressures near 25 and 20 GPa long-range ordered Rb-Rb and Cs-Cs correlations continue to be present over length scales up to 100 nm while short-range ordering of the aluminosilicate framework is significantly reduced—this opens a new way to form anti-glass structures.
Functional identification of SLC43A3 as an equilibrative nucleobase transporter involved in purine salvage in mammals
Authors: Furukawa Junji , Inoue Katsuhisa , Maeda Junya , Yasujima Tomoya , Ohta Kinya , Kanai Yoshikatsu , Takada Tappei , Matsuo Hirotaka , Yuasa Hiroaki
Published: October 2015

The purine salvage pathway plays a major role in the nucleotide production, relying on the supply of nucleobases and nucleosides from extracellular sources. Although specific transporters have been suggested to be involved in facilitating their transport across the plasma membrane in mammals, those which are specifically responsible for utilization of extracellular nucleobases remain unknown. Here we present the molecular and functional characterization of SLC43A3, an orphan transporter belonging to an amino acid transporter family, as a purine-selective nucleobase transporter. SLC43A3 was highly expressed in the liver, where it was localized to the sinusoidal membrane of hepatocytes and the lung. In addition, SLC43A3 expressed in MDCKII cells mediated the uptake of purine nucleobases such as adenine, guanine and hypoxanthine without requiring typical driving ions such as Na+ and H+, but it did not mediate the uptake of nucleosides. When SLC43A3 was expressed in APRT/HPRT1-deficient A9 cells, adenine uptake was found to be low. However, it was markedly enhanced by the introduction of SLC43A3 with APRT. In HeLa cells, knock-down of SLC43A3 markedly decreased adenine uptake. These data suggest that SLC43A3 is a facilitative and purine-selective nucleobase transporter that mediates the cellular uptake of extracellular purine nucleobases in cooperation with salvage enzymes.
Theoretical investigation on the adsorption configuration and •OH-initiated photocatalytic degradation mechanism of typical atmospheric VOCs styrene onto (TiO2)n clusters
Authors: Wang Honghong , Ji Yuemeng , Chen Jiangyao , Li Guiying , An Taicheng
Published: October 2015

In this study, the adsorption mechanism and hydroxyl radical (•OH)-initiated photocatalytic degradation mechanism of styrene onto different (TiO2)n clusters were investigated using density functional theory. Styrene, a typical model atmospheric volatile organic compound (VOC), was found to be readily adsorbed onto (TiO2)n clusters through its vinyl group with strong chemisorption. This suggests that (TiO2)n clusters (sub 1 nm) are able to effectively adsorb and trap styrene. Adsorbed styrene is then easily attacked by •OH to form a series of vinyl-OH-adducts. Conversely, phenyl-OH-adducts and H-abstraction products are very difficult to form in this system. Kinetics calculations using canonical variational transition state theory show that temperature has little effect on the rate constants during photocatalytic degradation process. The presence of TiO2 does not change the degradation mechanism of styrene, but can accelerate its photocatalyic degradation rate and the rate will increase as TiO2 cluster size increases; as such, the TiO2 nano-clusters catalyst should have the photocatalytic ability to effectively degrade styrene. This theory-based study offers insights into the catalytic effect of TiO2 catalyst and the photocatalytic degradation mechanism of benzene series air pollutants at the molecular level.
Investigation of Readout RF Pulse Impact on the Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Spectrum
Authors: Huang Sheng-Min , Jan Meei-Ling , Liang Hsin-Chin , Chang Chia-Hao , Wu Yi-Chun , Tsai Shang-Yueh , Wang Fu-Nien
Published: October 2015

Chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging (CEST-MRI) is capable of both microenvironment and molecular imaging. The optimization of scanning parameters is important since the CEST effect is sensitive to factors such as saturation power and field homogeneity. The aim of this study was to determine if the CEST effect would be altered by changing the length of readout RF pulses. Both theoretical computer simulation and phantom experiments were performed to examine the influence of readout RF pulses. Our results showed that the length of readout RF pulses has unremarkable impact on the Z-spectrum and CEST effect in both computer simulation and phantom experiment. Moreover, we demonstrated that multiple refocusing RF pulses used in rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) sequence induced no obvious saturation transfer contrast. Therefore, readout RF pulse has negligible effect on CEST Z-spectrum and the optimization of readout RF pulse length can be disregarded in CEST imaging protocol.
Scaffold-free, Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Tissue Engineered Blood Vessels
Authors: Jung Youngmee , Ji HaYeun , Chen Zaozao , Fai Chan Hon , Atchison Leigh , Klitzman Bruce , Truskey George , Leong Kam W.
Published: October 2015

Tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBV) can serve as vascular grafts and may also play an important role in the development of organs-on-a-chip. Most TEBV construction involves scaffolding with biomaterials such as collagen gel or electrospun fibrous mesh. Hypothesizing that a scaffold-free TEBV may be advantageous, we constructed a tubular structure (1 mm i.d.) from aligned human mesenchymal cell sheets (hMSC) as the wall and human endothelial progenitor cell (hEPC) coating as the lumen. The burst pressure of the scaffold-free TEBV was above 200 mmHg after three weeks of sequential culture in a rotating wall bioreactor and perfusion at 6.8 dynes/cm2. The interwoven organization of the cell layers and extensive extracellular matrix (ECM) formation of the hMSC-based TEBV resembled that of native blood vessels. The TEBV exhibited flow-mediated vasodilation, vasoconstriction after exposure to 1 μM phenylephrine and released nitric oxide in a manner similar to that of porcine femoral vein. HL-60 cells attached to the TEBV lumen after TNF-α activation to suggest a functional endothelium. This study demonstrates the potential of a hEPC endothelialized hMSC-based TEBV for drug screening.
HMBOX1 interacts with MT2A to regulate autophagy and apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Ma HanLin , Su Le , Yue HongWei , Yin XiaoLei , Zhao Jing , Zhang ShangLi , Kung HsiangFu , Xu ZhiGang , Miao JunYing
Published: October 2015

We previously found that Homeobox containing 1 (HMBOX1) was required for bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) and mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation into vascular endothelial cells (VECs). However, the function of HMBOX1 in VECs is still unknown. In this study, we found that HMBOX1 was abundantly expressed in the cytoplasm of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). Knockdown of HMBOX1 induced apoptosis and inhibited autophagy. Overexpression of HMBOX1 inhibited apoptosis induced by fibroblast growth factor 2 deprivation and promoted autophagy. Metallothionein 2A (MT2A) was identified as an interaction protein with HMBOX1 by yeast two-hybrid assay and confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. Overexpression of HMBOX1 elevated intracellular free zinc level. Knockdown of MT2A inhibited this phenomenon. Moreover, N,N,N = ,N = -tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine (TPEN), a zinc chelator, reversed the anti-apoptosis and pro-autophagy effects of HMBOX1. In conclusion, HMBOX1 regulated intracellular free zinc level by interacting with MT2A to inhibit apoptosis and promote autophagy in VECs.
Coculture of Primary Motor Neurons and Schwann Cells as a Model for In Vitro Myelination
Authors: Hyung Sujin , Yoon Lee Bo , Park Jong-Chul , Kim Jinseok , Hur Eun-Mi , Francis Suh Jun-Kyo
Published: October 2015

A culture system that can recapitulate myelination in vitro will not only help us better understand the mechanism of myelination and demyelination, but also find out possible therapeutic interventions for treating demyelinating diseases. Here, we introduce a simple and reproducible myelination culture system using mouse motor neurons (MNs) and Schwann cells (SCs). Dissociated motor neurons are plated on a feeder layer of SCs, which interact with and wrap around the axons of MNs as they differentiate in culture. In our MN-SC coculture system, MNs survived over 3 weeks and extended long axons. Both viability and axon growth of MNs in the coculture were markedly enhanced as compared to those of MN monoculture. Co-labeling of myelin basic proteins (MBPs) and neuronal microtubules revealed that SC formed myelin sheaths by wrapping around the axons of MNs. Furthermore, using the coculture system we found that treatment of an antioxidant substance coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) markedly facilitated myelination.
Quantifying the barrier lowering of ZnO Schottky nanodevices under UV light
Authors: Lu Ming-Yen , Lu Ming-Pei , You Shuen-Jium , Chen Chieh-Wei , Wang Ying-Jhe
Published: October 2015

In this study we measured the degrees to which the Schottky barrier heights (SBHs) are lowered in ZnO nanowire (NW) devices under illumination with UV light. We measured the I–V characteristics of ZnO nanowire devices to confirm that ZnO is an n-type semiconductor and that the on/off ratio is approximately 104. From temperature-dependent I–V measurements we obtained a SBH of 0.661 eV for a ZnO NW Schottky device in the dark. The photosensitivity of Schottky devices under UV illumination at a power density of 3 μW/cm2 was 9186%. Variations in the SBH account for the superior characteristics of n-type Schottky devices under illumination with UV light. The SBH variations were due to the coupled mechanism of adsorption and desorption of O2 and the increase in the carrier density. Furthermore, through temperature-dependent I–V measurements, we determined the SBHs in the dark and under illumination with UV light at power densities of 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 μW/cm2 to be 0.661, 0.216, 0.178, 0.125 and 0.068 eV, respectively. These findings should be applicable in the design of highly sensitive nanoscale optoelectronic devices.
Closely-related taxa influence woody species discrimination via DNA barcoding: evidence from global forest dynamics plots
Authors: Pei Nancai , Erickson David L. , Chen Bufeng , Ge Xuejun , Mi Xiangcheng , Swenson Nathan G. , Zhang Jin-Long , Jones Frank A. , Huang Chun-Lin , Ye Wanhui , Hao Zhanqing , Hsieh Chang-Fu , Lum Shawn , Bourg Norman A. , Parker John D. , Zimmerman Jess K. , McShea William J. , Lopez Ida C. , Sun I-Fang , Davies Stuart J. , Ma Keping , Kress W. John
Published: October 2015

To determine how well DNA barcodes from the chloroplast region perform in forest dynamics plots (FDPs) from global CTFS-ForestGEO network, we analyzed DNA barcoding sequences of 1277 plant species from a wide phylogenetic range (3 FDPs in tropics, 5 in subtropics and 5 in temperate zone) and compared the rates of species discrimination (RSD). We quantified RSD by two DNA barcode combinations (rbcL + matK and rbcL + matK + trnH-psbA) using a monophyly-based method (GARLI). We defined two indexes of closely-related taxa (Gm/Gt and S/G ratios) and correlated these ratios with RSD. The combination of rbcL + matK averagely discriminated 88.65%, 83.84% and 72.51% at the local, regional and global scales, respectively. An additional locus trnH-psbA increased RSD by 2.87%, 1.49% and 3.58% correspondingly. RSD varied along a latitudinal gradient and were negatively correlated with ratios of closely-related taxa. Successes of species discrimination generally depend on scales in global FDPs. We suggested that the combination of rbcL + matK + trnH-psbA is currently applicable for DNA barcoding-based phylogenetic studies on forest communities.
Hierarchically structured nanowires on and nanosticks in ZnO microtubes
Authors: Rivaldo-Gómez C. M. , Cabrera-Pasca G. A. , Zúñiga A. , Carbonari A. W. , Souza J. A.
Published: October 2015

We report both coaxial core-shell structured microwires and ZnO microtubes with growth of nanosticks in the inner and nanowires on the outer surface as a novel hierarchical micro/nanoarchitecture. First, a core-shell structure is obtained—the core is formed by metallic Zn and the semiconducting shell is comprised by a thin oxide layer covered with a high density of nanowires. Such Zn/ZnO core-shell array showed magnetoresistance effect. It is suggested that magnetic moments in the nanostructured shell superimposes to the external magnetic field enhancing the MR effect. Second, microtubes decorated with nanowires on the external surface are obtained. In an intermediate stage, a hierarchical morphology comprised of discrete nanosticks in the inner surface of the microtube has been found. Hyperfine interaction measurements disclosed the presence of confined metallic Zn regions at the interface between linked ZnO grains forming a chain and a ZnO thicker layer. Surprisingly, the metallic clusters form highly textured thin flat regions oriented parallel to the surface of the microtube as revealed by the electrical field gradient direction. The driving force to grow the internal nanosticks has been ascribed to stress-induced migration of Zn ions due to compressive stress caused by the presence of these confined regions.
Novel anticancer agent, SQAP, binds to focal adhesion kinase and modulates its activity
Authors: Izaguirre-Carbonell Jesus , Kawakubo Hirofumi , Murata Hiroshi , Tanabe Atsushi , Takeuchi Toshifumi , Kusayanagi Tomoe , Tsukuda Senko , Hirakawa Takeshi , Iwabata Kazuki , Kanai Yoshihiro , Ohta Keisuke , Miura Masahiko , Sakaguchi Kengo , Matsunaga Sachihiro , Sahara Hiroeki , Kamisuki Shinji , Sugawara Fumio
Published: October 2015

SQAP is a novel and promising anticancer agent that was obtained by structural modifications from a natural compound. SQAP inhibits angiogenesis in vivo resulting in increased hypoxia and reduced tumor volume. In this study, the mechanism by which SQAP modifies the tumor microenvironment was revealed through the application of a T7 phage display screening. This approach identified five SQAP-binding proteins including sterol carrier protein 2, multifunctional enzyme type 2, proteasomal ubiquitin receptor, UV excision repair protein and focal adhesion kinase (FAK). All the interactions were confirmed by surface plasmon resonance analysis. Since FAK plays an important role in cell turnover and angiogenesis, the influence of SQAP on FAK was the principal goal of this study. SQAP decreased FAK phosphorylation and cell migration in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and A549 cancer cells. These findings suggest that inhibition of FAK phosphorylation works as the mechanism for the anti-angiogenesis activity of SQAP.
Phase Diagram and Transformations of Iron Pentacarbonyl to nm Layered Hematite and Carbon-Oxygen Polymer under Pressure
Authors: Ryu Young Jay , Kim Minseob , Yoo Choong-Shik
Published: October 2015

We present the phase diagram of Fe(CO)5, consisting of three molecular polymorphs (phase I, II and III) and an extended polymeric phase that can be recovered at ambient condition. The phase diagram indicates a limited stability of Fe(CO)5 within a pressure-temperature dome formed below the liquid- phase II- polymer triple point at 4.2 GPa and 580 K. The limited stability, in turn, signifies the temperature-induced weakening of Fe-CO back bonds, which eventually leads to the dissociation of Fe-CO at the onset of the polymerization of CO. The recovered polymer is a composite of novel nm-lamellar layers of crystalline hematite Fe2O3 and amorphous carbon-oxygen polymers. These results, therefore, demonstrate the synthesis of carbon-oxygen polymer by compressing Fe(CO)5, which advocates a novel synthetic route to develop atomistic composite materials by compressing organometallic compounds.
Investigation on kinetic processes of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 film growth and adsorption of chlorohydro-carbons using a quartz crystal microbalance
Authors: Shen Dazhong , Ma Xiaolong , Cai Tingting , Zhu Xilei , Xin Xiaodong , Kang Qi
Published: October 2015

The kinetic processes of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) film growth and the adsorption of dichloromethane, trichloromethane and carbon tetrachloride on ZIF-8 film are monitored in real time.
In vivo fluorescence imaging of β-amyloid plaques with push–pull dimethylaminothiophene derivatives
Authors: Watanabe Hiroyuki , Ono Masahiro , Saji Hideo
Published: October 2015

We report a newin vivofluorescent imaging probe, DTM-2, that can detect β-amyloid plaques in the brain.
Nanoscale UiO-MOF-based luminescent sensors for highly selective detection of cysteine and glutathione and their application in bioimaging
Authors: Li Yan-An , Zhao Chao-Wei , Zhu Neng-Xiu , Liu Qi-Kui , Chen Gong-Jun , Liu Jian-Biao , Zhao Xiao-Dong , Ma Jian-Ping , Zhang Shaojun , Dong Yu-Bin
Published: October 2015

Nanoscale UiO-MOF-based luminescent sensors which can selectively detect cysteine and glutathione in living cells are reported.
Analysis of urinary metabolomic profiling for unstable angina pectoris disease based on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Li Zhongfeng , Liu Xinfeng , Wang Juan , Gao Jian , Guo Shuzhen , Gao Kuo , Man Hongxue , Wang Yingfeng , Chen Jianxin , Wang Wei
Published: October 2015

The NMR-based metabolomics approach showed good performance in identifying diagnostic urinary biomarkers, providing new insights into the metabolic process related to UAP.
The solvothermal synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic activity of Zn2+ doped BiOBr hierarchical nanostructures
Authors: Song Xu Chun , Zheng Yi Fan , Yin Hao Yong , Liu Jia Ning , Ruan Xue Dan
Published: October 2015

Zn-doped BiOBr hierarchical nanostructures were fabricated by solvothermal methods. Photocatalytic activity of BiOBr was greatly enhanced by Zn doping.
Anomalous polarization dependence of Raman scattering and crystallographic orientation of black phosphorus
Authors: Kim Jungcheol , Lee Jae-Ung , Lee Jinhwan , Park Hyo Ju , Lee Zonghoon , Lee Changgu , Cheong Hyeonsik
Published: October 2015

Crystallographic direction of black phosphorus can be determined from polarized optical microscopy and polarized Raman spectroscopy.
Theranostic etoposide phosphate/indium nanoparticles for cancer therapy and imaging
Authors: Srinivas Ramishetti , Satterlee Andrew , Wang Yuhua , Zhang Yuan , Wang Yongjun , Huang Leaf
Published: October 2015

Etoposide phosphate, a water-soluble anti-cancer prodrug, was successfully encapsulated together with indium in nanoparticles. We have used indium both as a carrier to deliver etoposide phosphate and as a SPECT imaging agent through incorporation of111In.
Multiscale morphology design of hybrid halide perovskites through a polymeric template
Authors: Masi Sofia , Rizzo Aurora , Aiello Federica , Balzano Federica , Uccello-Barretta Gloria , Listorti Andrea , Gigli Giuseppe , Colella Silvia
Published: October 2015

The nature of the interactions between perovskite precursors and polymer templates allows the control of aggregates in solution whose characteristics are strictly maintained in the solid film.
Bone-repair properties of biodegradable hydroxyapatite nano-rod superstructures
Authors: D'Elía Noelia L. , Mathieu Colleen , Hoemann Caroline D. , Laiuppa Juan A. , Santillán Graciela E. , Messina Paula V.
Published: October 2015

Hydroxyapatite materials displaying a unique nano-topography and surface chemistry provide the optimal conditions for bone repair properties.
Point prevalence of suboptimal footwear features among ambulant older hospital patients: implications for fall prevention
Authors: Chari Satyan R. , McRae Prue , Stewart Matthew J. , Webster Joan , Fenn Mary , Haines Terry P.
Published: October 2015

Objective The aim of the present study was to establish the point prevalence of ‘suboptimal’ features in footwear reported to have been used by older hospital patients when ambulating, and to explore underpinning factors for their choice of footwear. Method A cross-sectional investigation was undertaken on 95 of 149 eligible in-patients across 22 high fall-risk wards in a large metropolitan hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Results Over 70% of participants experienced an unplanned admission. Although most participants had access to some form of footwear in hospital (92%), nearly all reported ambulating in footwear with ‘suboptimal’ features (99%). Examples included slippers (27%), backless slippers (16%) or bare feet (27%). For patients who ambulated in bare feet, only one-third reported ‘lack of access to footwear’ as the primary cause, with others citing foot wounds, pain, oedema and personal choice as the main reason for bare foot ambulation. Conclusions Admitted patients frequently use footwear with ‘suboptimal’ features for ambulation in hospital. While some footwear options (for example well-fitting slippers) could be suited for limited in-hospital ambulation, others are clearly hazardous and might cause falls. Since footwear choices are influenced by multiple factors in this population, footwear education strategies alone may be insufficient to address the problem of hazardous footwear in at-risk patients. Footwear requirements may be more effectively addressed within a multidisciplinary team approach encompassing foot health, mobility and safety. What is known about the topic? Accidental falls while ambulating are an important health and safety concern for older people. Because certain footwear characteristics have been negatively linked to posture and balance, and specific footwear types linked to falls among seniors, the use of footwear with fewer suboptimal characteristics is generally recommended as a means of reducing the risk of falling. While footwear usage and choices have been explored in older people in the community and in residential care settings, there is little comparable data on acutely unwell older hospital patients. What does this paper add? This paper provides prevalence data on the use of footwear with suboptimal characteristics among ambulant older hospital patients, and identifies concurrent factors that may be relevant to patient footwear choices. What are the implications for practitioners? Pain, foot pathology and a desire to retain independence are important concerns for hospitalised patients and are likely to influence their choice of footwear used to ambulate with. Pragmatic team-based approaches that remain sensitive to key patient concerns may be more successful in optimising patient footwear usage than footwear education strategies alone.
Structured social relationships: a review of volunteer home visiting programs for parents of young children
Authors: Byrne Fiona , Grace Rebekah , Tredoux Jaimie , Kemp Lynn
Published: October 2015

Objective The aims of the present paper were to: (1) review the research literature that contributes to an understanding of the role of volunteer home visiting programs in supporting the health and well being of families with young children; and (2) propose a conceptual model outlining service pathways for families in need of additional support. Methods An integrative literature review method was used, with a mix of electronic and manual search methods for the period January 1980–January 2014. Forty-five studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria for review and were coded according to themes developed a priori. Results There is little formal research that has examined the effectiveness of volunteer home visiting programs for supporting family health and well being. The available research suggests that volunteer home visiting programs provide socioemotional support through structured social relationships; however, there is limited empirical evidence to explicate the factors that contribute to these outcomes. Conclusion In recognition of the importance of peer support for new parents, the not-for-profit sector has been involved in providing volunteer home visiting services to families for decades. However, the body of research to support this work is characterised by methodological limitations, and rigorous evidence is limited. What is clear anecdotally and qualitatively from the existing research is that parents who are in need of additional support value engagement with a community volunteer. These structured social relationships appear to fulfil a service need within the community, helping build bridges to support social networks, and thus complementing professional services and relationships. Overall, structured social relationships in the form of volunteer home visiting programs appear to provide an important pathway to support family health and well being. Findings from the existing research are mixed and often characterised by methodological limitations, pointing to a need for further rigorous research. What is known about the topic? Volunteer family support programs have been an important part of the service landscape for vulnerable families, both nationally and internationally, for many years. Anecdotal reports suggest that this is a valued form of support that increases a sense of community connectedness and breaks down barriers for families in accessing other community support services. What does this paper add? This paper proposes a model identifying broad service pathways impacting on family health and well being that takes into account the importance of structured social relationships and social connectedness. What are the implications for practitioners? The proposed model may encourage discussion by practitioners and organisations interested in models of support for families who are socially isolated and/or in need of assistance to access and engage with services within the community.
Antimicrobial stewardship: what is it, and how does it work?
Authors: Turnidge J.
Published: October 2015

Antimicrobial stewardship is emerging as a vital management tool in the efforts to contain antimicrobial resistance and retain the efficacy of available agents. It is based on a set of concepts about antimicrobial use and resistance that have been developed over the past 70 years. There are seven basic requirements for a stewardship program to function at a local level, including (1) ‘executive’ ownership of the issue, (2) consensus prescribing guidelines, (3) a local formulary with various levels of restricted access, (4) a local champion (or champions) who is a trusted peer, (5) authority to intervene in prescribing and/or dispensing, (6) authority for measurement of use, audit and feedback, and (7) access to reliable laboratory services and their cumulative resistance data. Stewardship programs are most advanced in larger public hospitals, but there is considerable interest and need for developing programs tailored to a wide range of settings in human and animal health, each with their own particular characteristics of access to antimicrobials and potential controls. The potential value of stewardship in food animal production is now recognised globally, and Australia has taken the first steps towards surveillance and stewardship in this sector, supported by a recently released national One Health strategy on the containment of antimicrobial resistance.
Selection for productivity and robustness traits in pigs
Authors: Hermesch S. , Li L. , Doeschl-Wilson A. B. , Gilbert H.
Published: October 2015

Pig breeding programs worldwide continue to focus on both productivity and robustness. This selection emphasis has to be accompanied by provision of better-quality environments to pigs to improve performance and to enhance health and welfare of pigs. Definition of broader breeding objectives that include robustness traits in addition to production traits is the first step in the development of selection strategies for productivity and robustness. An approach has been presented which facilitates extension of breeding objectives. Post-weaning survival, maternal genetic effects for growth as an indicator of health status and sow mature weight are examples of robustness traits. Further, breeding objectives should be defined for commercial environments and selection indexes should account for genotype by environment interactions (GxE). Average performances of groups of pigs have been used to quantify the additive effects of multiple environmental factors on performance of pigs. For growth, GxE existed when environments differed by 60 g/day between groups of pigs. This environmental variation was observed even on well managed farms. Selection for improved health of pigs should focus on disease resistance to indirectly reduce pathogen loads on farms and on disease resilience to improve the ability of pigs to cope with infection challenges. Traits defining disease resilience may be based on performance and immune measures, disease incidence or survival rates of pigs. Residual feed intake is a trait that quantifies feed efficiency. The responses of divergent selection lines for residual feed intake to various environmental challenges were often similar or even favourable for the more efficient, low residual feed intake line. These somewhat unexpected results highlight the need to gain a better understanding of the metabolic differences between more or less productive pigs. These physiological differences lead to interactions between the genetic potential of pigs for productivity and robustness and the prevalence of specific environmental conditions.
Children and young people in out-of-home care: canaries in the coal mine of healthcare commissioning
Authors: Webster Susan M.
Published: October 2015

Australian Primary Health Networks could pioneer local health service reform for children and young people living in out-of-home care. Significant maltreatment, the leading cause of placement of 0–17-year-olds under the protective canopy of foster, kinship and residential care (described collectively as out-of-home care) left more than 50000 children vulnerable to poor health outcomes in 2013–14. Opportunistic health care is inadequate to meet the chronic and complex health needs of maltreated children. This article reviews some critical lessons from English commissioning and US healthcare marketplace reforms in an attempt to better meet the needs of children and young people in out-of-home care. It identifies key questions that Australian Primary Health Networks would need to resolve if they were to follow overseas trends and adopt health service commissioning as a means to provide more effective and efficient health care for this at-risk population.
Assessing soil-quality indices for subtropical rice-based cropping systems in India
Authors: Basak Nirmalendu , Datta Ashim , Mitran Tarik , Roy Satadeep Singha , Saha Bholanath , Biswas Sunanda , Mandal Biswapati
Published: October 2015

Rice-based cropping systems are the foundation of food security in countries of Southeast Asia, but productivity of such systems has declined with deterioration in soil quality. These systems are different from other arable systems because rice is grown under submergence, and this may require a different set of key soil attributes for maintenances of quality and productivity. A minimum dataset was screened for assessing quality of soils belonging to three Soil Orders (Inceptisols, Entisols and Alfisols) by using statistical and mathematical models and 27 physical, chemical and biological attributes. Surface soils were collected from farmers’ fields under long-term cultivation of rice–potato–sesame cropping systems. Most of the attributes varied significantly among the Soil Orders used. Four or five key attributes were screened for each Soil Order through principal component and discriminate analysis, and these explained nearly 80% and 90% of the total variation in each Soil Order dataset. The attributes were dehydrogenase activity (DHA), available K, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and pHCa for Inceptisols; organic C, pHCa, bulk density, nitrogen mineralisation (Nmin) and β-glucosidase for Entisols; and DHA, very labile C, Nmin and microbial biomass C for Alfisols. Representation of the screened attributes was validated against the equivalent rice yield of the studied system. Among the selected key soil attributes, DHA and CEC for Inceptisols, organic C for Entisols, and Nmin and very labile C for Alfisols were most strongly correlated with system yield (R2 = 0.45, 0.77 and 0.78). Results also showed that biological and chemical attributes were most sensitive for indicating the differences in soil quality and have a strong influence on system yield, whereas soil physical attributes largely varied but did not predict system yield.
Predictive mapping of soil organic carbon stocks in South Australia’s agricultural zone
Authors: Liddicoat Craig , Maschmedt David , Clifford David , Searle Ross , Herrmann Tim , Macdonald Lynne M. , Baldock Jeff
Published: October 2015

Better understanding the spatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks is important for the management and enhancement of soils for production and environmental outcomes. We have applied digital soil mapping (DSM) techniques to combine soil-site datasets from legacy and recent sources, environmental covariates and expert pedological knowledge to predict and map SOC stocks in the top 0.3 m, and their uncertainty, across South Australia’s agricultural zone. In achieving this, we aimed to maximise the use of locally sourced datasets not previously considered in national soil C assessments. Practical considerations for operationalising DSM are also discussed in the context of working with problematic legacy datasets, handling large numbers of potentially correlated covariates, and meeting end-user needs for readily interpretable results and accurate maps. Spatial modelling was undertaken using open-source R statistical software over a study area of ~160 000 km2. Legacy-site SOC stock estimates were derived with inputs from an expert-derived bulk-density pedotransfer function to overcome critical gaps in the data. Site estimates of SOC were evaluated over a consistent depth range and then used in spatial predictions through an environmental-correlation regression-kriging DSM approach. This used the contemporary Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator penalised-regression method, which catered for a large number (63 numeric, four categorical, four legacy-soil mapping themes) of potentially correlated covariates. For efficient use of the available data, this was performed within a k-fold cross-validation (k = 10) modelling framework. Through this, we generated multiple predictions and variance information at every node of our prediction grid, which was used to evaluate and map the expected value (mean) of SOC stocks and their uncertainty. For the South Australian agricultural zone, expected value SOC stocks in the top 0.3 m summed to 0.589 Gt with a 90% prediction interval of 0.266–1.086 Gt.
Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia
Authors: Grundy M. J. , Rossel R. A. Viscarra , Searle R. D. , Wilson P. L. , Chen C. , Gregory L. J.
Published: October 2015

The Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia (SLGA) is the first continental version of the GlobalSoilMap concept and the first nationally consistent, fine spatial resolution set of continuous soil attributes with Australia-wide coverage. The SLGA relies on digital soil mapping methods and integrates historical soil data, new measurement with spectroscopic sensors, novel spatial modelling and a web-service delivery architecture. The SLGA provides soil, regolith and landscape estimates at the centre point of 3 arcsecond grid cells (~90 × 90 m) across Australia. At each point, there are estimates of 11 soil attributes and confidence intervals for each estimate to a depth of 2 m or less, depth of regolith and a set of terrain descriptors. The information system also includes a library of mid-infrared spectra, an inference engine that allows estimation of additional soil parameters and an information model that enables users to access the system via web services. The explicit mapping of depth, bulk density and coarse fragments allows estimation of material stores and fluxes on a volumetric basis. The SLGA therefore has immediate applications in carbon, nitrogen and water process modelling. The map of regolith depth will find immediate application to studies of vadose zone processes, including solute transport, groundwater and nutrient fluxes beyond the root zone. Landscape attributes at 1 and 3 arcseconds are useful for a wide spectrum of ecological, hydrological and broader environmental applications. The SLGA can be accessed at no cost from www.csiro.au/soil-and-landscape-grid. It is managed and delivered as part of the Australian Soil Resource Information System (ASRIS).
APPL endosomes are not obligatory endocytic intermediates but act as stable cargo-sorting compartments
Authors: Kalaidzidis Inna , Miaczynska Marta , Brewińska-Olchowik Marta , Hupalowska Anna , Ferguson Charles , Parton Robert G. , Kalaidzidis Yannis , Zerial Marino
Published: October 2015

Endocytosis allows cargo to enter a series of specialized endosomal compartments, beginning with early endosomes harboring Rab5 and its effector EEA1. There are, however, additional structures labeled by the Rab5 effector APPL1 whose role in endocytic transport remains unclear. It has been proposed that APPL1 vesicles are transport intermediates that convert into EEA1 endosomes. Here, we tested this model by analyzing the ultrastructural morphology, kinetics of cargo transport, and stability of the APPL1 compartment over time. We found that APPL1 resides on a tubulo-vesicular compartment that is capable of sorting cargo for recycling or degradation and that displays long lifetimes, all features typical of early endosomes. Fitting mathematical models to experimental data rules out maturation of APPL1 vesicles into EEA1 endosomes as a primary mechanism for cargo transport. Our data suggest instead that APPL1 endosomes represent a distinct population of Rab5-positive sorting endosomes, thus providing important insights into the compartmental organization of the early endocytic pathway.
mTORC2 promotes cell survival through c-Myc–dependent up-regulation of E2F1
Authors: Zou Zhipeng , Chen Juan , Liu Anling , Zhou Xuan , Song Qiancheng , Jia Chunhong , Chen Zhenguo , Lin Jun , Yang Cuilan , Li Ming , Jiang Yu , Bai Xiaochun
Published: October 2015

Previous studies have reported that mTORC2 promotes cell survival through phosphorylating AKT and enhancing its activity. We reveal another mechanism by which mTORC2 controls apoptosis. Inactivation of mTORC2 promotes binding of CIP2A to PP2A, leading to reduced PP2A activity toward c-Myc serine 62 and, consequently, enhancement of c-Myc phosphorylation and expression. Increased c-Myc activity induces transcription of pri-miR-9-2/miR-9-3p, in turn inhibiting expression of E2F1, a transcriptional factor critical for cancer cell survival and tumor progression, resulting in enhanced apoptosis. In vivo experiments using B cell–specific mTORC2 (rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR) deletion mice and a xenograft tumor model confirmed that inactivation of mTORC2 causes up-regulation of c-Myc and miR-9-3p, down-regulation of E2F1, and consequent reduction in cell survival. Conversely, Antagomir-9-3p reversed mTORC1/2 inhibitor–potentiated E2F1 suppression and resultant apoptosis in xenograft tumors. Our in vitro and in vivo findings collectively demonstrate that mTORC2 promotes cell survival by stimulating E2F1 expression through a c-Myc– and miR-9-3p–dependent mechanism.
Intranuclear binding in space and time of exon junction complex and NXF1 to premRNPs/mRNPs in vivo
Authors: Björk Petra , Persson Jan-Olov , Wieslander Lars
Published: October 2015

Eukaryotic gene expression requires the ordered association of numerous factors with precursor messenger RNAs (premRNAs)/messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to achieve efficiency and regulation. Here, we use the Balbiani ring (BR) genes to demonstrate the temporal and spatial association of the exon junction complex (EJC) core with gene-specific endogenous premRNAs and mRNAs. The EJC core components bind cotranscriptionally to BR premRNAs during or very rapidly after splicing. The EJC core does not recruit the nonsense-mediated decay mediaters UPF2 and UPF3 until the BR messenger RNA protein complexes (mRNPs) enter the interchromatin. Even though several known adapters for the export factor NXF1 become part of BR mRNPs already at the gene, NXF1 binds to BR mRNPs only in the interchromatin. In steady state, a subset of the BR mRNPs in the interchromatin binds NXF1, UPF2, and UPF3. This binding appears to occur stochastically, and the efficiency approximately equals synthesis and export of the BR mRNPs. Our data provide unique in vivo information on how export competent eukaryotic mRNPs are formed.
RAL-1 controls multivesicular body biogenesis and exosome secretion
Authors: Hyenne Vincent , Apaydin Ahmet , Rodriguez David , Spiegelhalter Coralie , Hoff-Yoessle Sarah , Diem Maxime , Tak Saurabh , Lefebvre Olivier , Schwab Yannick , Goetz Jacky G. , Labouesse Michel
Published: October 2015

Exosomes are secreted vesicles arising from the fusion of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) with the plasma membrane. Despite their importance in various processes, the molecular mechanisms controlling their formation and release remain unclear. Using nematodes and mammary tumor cells, we show that Ral GTPases are involved in exosome biogenesis. In Caenorhabditis elegans, RAL-1 localizes at the surface of secretory MVBs. A quantitative electron microscopy analysis of RAL-1–deficient animals revealed that RAL-1 is involved in both MVB formation and their fusion with the plasma membrane. These functions do not involve the exocyst complex, a common Ral guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) effector. Furthermore, we show that the target membrane SNARE protein SYX-5 colocalizes with a constitutively active form of RAL-1 at the plasma membrane, and MVBs accumulate under the plasma membrane when SYX-5 is absent. In mammals, RalA and RalB are both required for the secretion of exosome-like vesicles in cultured cells. Therefore, Ral GTPases represent new regulators of MVB formation and exosome release.
Polarity establishment requires localized activation of Cdc42
Authors: Woods Benjamin , Kuo Chun-Chen , Wu Chi-Fang , Zyla Trevin R. , Lew Daniel J.
Published: October 2015

Establishment of cell polarity in animal and fungal cells involves localization of the conserved Rho-family guanosine triphosphatase, Cdc42, to the cortical region destined to become the “front” of the cell. The high local concentration of active Cdc42 promotes cytoskeletal polarization through various effectors. Cdc42 accumulation at the front is thought to involve positive feedback, and studies in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have suggested distinct positive feedback mechanisms. One class of mechanisms involves localized activation of Cdc42 at the front, whereas another class involves localized delivery of Cdc42 to the front. Here we show that Cdc42 activation must be localized for successful polarity establishment, supporting local activation rather than local delivery as the dominant mechanism in this system.