bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mineral dissolution and reprecipitation mediated by an amorphous phase
Authors: Konrad-Schmolke Matthias , Halama Ralf , Wirth Richard , Thomen Aurélien , Klitscher Nico , Morales Luiz , Schreiber Anja , Wilke Franziska D. H.
Published: April 2018

Fluid-mediated mineral dissolution and reprecipitation processes are the most common mineral reaction mechanism in the solid Earth and are fundamental for the Earth’s internal dynamics. Element exchange during such mineral reactions is commonly thought to occur via aqueous solutions with the mineral solubility in the coexisting fluid being a rate limiting factor. Here we show in high-pressure/low temperature rocks that element transfer during mineral dissolution and reprecipitation can occur in an alkali-Al–Si-rich amorphous material that forms directly by depolymerization of the crystal lattice and is thermodynamically decoupled from aqueous solutions. Depolymerization starts along grain boundaries and crystal lattice defects that serve as element exchange pathways and are sites of porosity formation. The resulting amorphous material occupies large volumes in an interconnected porosity network. Precipitation of product minerals occurs directly by repolymerization of the amorphous material at the product surface. This mechanism allows for significantly higher element transport and mineral reaction rates than aqueous solutions with major implications for the role of mineral reactions in the dynamic Earth.
Motor imagery involves predicting the sensory consequences of the imagined movement
Authors: Kilteni Konstantina , Andersson Benjamin Jan , Houborg Christian , Ehrsson H. Henrik
Published: April 2018

Research on motor imagery has identified many similarities between imagined and executed actions at the behavioral, physiological and neural levels, thus supporting their “functional equivalence”. In contrast, little is known about their possible “computational equivalence”—specifically, whether the brain’s internal forward models predict the sensory consequences of imagined movements as they do for overt movements. Here, we address this question by assessing whether imagined self-generated touch produces an attenuation of real tactile sensations. Previous studies have shown that self-touch feels less intense compared with touch of external origin because the forward models predict the tactile feedback based on a copy of the motor command. Our results demonstrate that imagined self-touch is attenuated just as real self-touch is and that the imagery-induced attenuation follows the same spatiotemporal principles as does the attenuation elicited by overt movements. We conclude that motor imagery recruits the forward models to predict the sensory consequences of imagined movements.
Dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics proteins are a targetable feature of human tumors
Authors: Anderson Gray R. , Wardell Suzanne E. , Cakir Merve , Yip Catherine , Ahn Yeong-ran , Ali Moiez , Yllanes Alexander P. , Chao Christina A. , McDonnell Donald P. , Wood Kris C.
Published: April 2018

Altered mitochondrial dynamics can broadly impact tumor cell physiology. Using genetic and pharmacological profiling of cancer cell lines and human tumors, we here establish that perturbations to the mitochondrial dynamics network also result in specific therapeutic vulnerabilities. In particular, through distinct mechanisms, tumors with increased mitochondrial fragmentation or connectivity are hypersensitive to SMAC mimetics, a class of compounds that induce apoptosis through inhibition of IAPs and for which robust sensitivity biomarkers remain to be identified. Further, because driver oncogenes exert dominant control over mitochondrial dynamics, oncogene-targeted therapies can be used to sensitize tumors to SMAC mimetics via their effects on fission/fusion dynamics. Collectively, these data demonstrate that perturbations to the mitochondrial dynamics network induce targetable vulnerabilities across diverse human tumors and, more broadly, suggest that the altered structures, activities, and trafficking of cellular organelles may facilitate additional cancer therapeutic opportunities.
Fetal demise and failed antibody therapy during Zika virus infection of pregnant macaques
Authors: Magnani Diogo M. , Rogers Thomas F. , Maness Nicholas J. , Grubaugh Nathan D. , Beutler Nathan , Bailey Varian K. , Gonzalez-Nieto Lucas , Gutman Martin J. , Pedreño-Lopez Núria , Kwal Jaclyn M. , Ricciardi Michael J. , Myers Tereance A. , Julander Justin G. , Bohm Rudolf P. , Gilbert Margaret H. , Schiro Faith , Aye Pyone P. , Blair Robert V. , Martins Mauricio A. , Falkenstein Kathrine P. , Kaur Amitinder , Curry Christine L. , Kallas Esper G. , Desrosiers Ronald C. , Goldschmidt-Clermont Pascal J. , Whitehead Stephen S. , Andersen Kristian G. , Bonaldo Myrna C. , Lackner Andrew A. , Panganiban Antonito T. , Burton Dennis R. , Watkins David I.
Published: April 2018

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection of pregnant women is associated with pathologic complications of fetal development. Here, we infect pregnant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) with a minimally passaged ZIKV isolate from Rio de Janeiro, where a high rate of fetal development complications was observed. The infection of pregnant macaques with this virus results in maternal viremia, virus crossing into the amniotic fluid (AF), and in utero fetal deaths. We also treated three additional ZIKV-infected pregnant macaques with a cocktail of ZIKV-neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies (nmAbs) at peak viremia. While the nmAbs can be effective in clearing the virus from the maternal sera of treated monkeys, it is not sufficient to clear ZIKV from AF. Our report suggests that ZIKV from Brazil causes fetal demise in non-human primates (NHPs) without additional mutations or confounding co-factors. Treatment with a neutralizing anti-ZIKV nmAb cocktail is insufficient to fully stop vertical transmission.
Mesopores induced zero thermal expansion in single-crystal ferroelectrics
Authors: Ren Zhaohui , Zhao Ruoyu , Chen Xing , Li Ming , Li Xiang , Tian He , Zhang Ze , Han Gaorong
Published: April 2018

For many decades, zero thermal expansion materials have been the focus of numerous investigations because of their intriguing physical properties and potential applications in high-precision instruments. Different strategies, such as composites, solid solution and doping, have been developed as promising approaches to obtain zero thermal expansion materials. However, microstructure controlled zero thermal expansion behavior via interface or surface has not been realized. Here we report the observation of an impressive zero thermal expansion (volumetric thermal expansion coefficient, −1.41 × 10−6 K−1, 293–623 K) in single-crystal ferroelectric PbTiO3 fibers with large-scale faceted and enclosed mesopores. The zero thermal expansion behavior is attributed to a synergetic effect of positive thermal expansion near the mesopores due to the oxygen-based polarization screening and negative thermal expansion from an intrinsic ferroelectricity. Our results show that a fascinating surface construction in negative thermal expansion ferroelectric materials could be a promising strategy to realize zero thermal expansion.
Reconstructing phase diagrams from local measurements via Gaussian processes: mapping the temperature-composition space to confidence
Authors: Pradhan Dhiren K. , Kumari Shalini , Strelcov Evgheni , Pradhan Dillip K. , Katiyar Ram S. , Kalinin Sergei V. , Laanait Nouamane , Vasudevan Rama K.
Published: April 2018

We show the ability to map the phase diagram of a relaxor-ferroelectric system as a function of temperature and composition through local hysteresis curve acquisition, with the voltage spectroscopy data being used as a proxy for the (unknown) microscopic state or thermodynamic parameters of materials. Given the discrete nature of the measurement points, we use Gaussian processes to reconstruct hysteresis loops in temperature and voltage space, and compare the results with the raw data and bulk dielectric spectroscopy measurements. The results indicate that the surface transition temperature is similar for all but one composition with respect to the bulk. Through clustering algorithms, we recreate the main features of the bulk diagram, and provide statistical confidence estimates for the reconstructed phase transition temperatures. We validate the method by using Gaussian processes to predict hysteresis loops for a given temperature for a composition unseen by the algorithm, and compare with measurements. These techniques can be used to map phase diagrams from functional materials in an automated fashion, and provide a method for uncertainty quantification and model selection.
Author Correction: Automated generation and ensemble-learned matching of X-ray absorption spectra
Authors: Zheng Chen , Mathew Kiran , Chen Chi , Chen Yiming , Tang Hanmei , Dozier Alan , Kas Joshua J. , Vila Fernando D. , Rehr John J. , Piper Louis F. J. , Persson Kristin A. , Ong Shyue Ping
Published: April 2018

The following text has been added to the Acknowledgements section: “L. F. J. P. acknowledges support from the National Science Foundation (DMREF-1627583)”
Publisher Correction: Programmed cell death can increase the efficacy of microbial bet hedging
Authors: Libby Eric , Driscoll William W. , Ratcliff William C.
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
ABO Antigens Active Tri- and Disaccharides Microarray to Evaluate C-type Lectin Receptor Binding Preferences
Authors: Shanthamurthy Chethan D. , Jain Prashant , Yehuda Sharon , Monteiro João T. , Leviatan Ben-Arye Shani , Subramani Balamurugan , Lepenies Bernd , Padler-Karavani Vered , Kikkeri Raghavendra
Published: April 2018

Understanding blood group antigen binding preferences for C-type lectin receptors holds promise for modulating immune responses, since several Gram-negative bacteria express blood group antigens as molecular mimicry to evade immune responses. Herein, we report the synthesis of ABO blood group antigen active tri and disaccharides to investigate the binding specificity with various C-type lectin receptors using glycan microarray. The results of binding preferences show that distinct glycosylation on the galactose and fucose motifs are key for C-type lectin receptor binding and that these interactions occur in a Ca2+-dependent fashion.
Action and object words are differentially anchored in the sensory motor system - A perspective on cognitive embodiment
Authors: Horoufchin Houpand , Bzdok Danilo , Buccino Giovanni , Borghi Anna M. , Binkofski Ferdinand
Published: April 2018

Embodied and grounded cognition theories have assumed that the sensorimotor system is causally involved in processing motor-related language content. Although a causal proof on a single-cell basis is ethically not possible today, the present fMRI study provides confirmation of this longstanding speculation, as far as it is possible with recent methods, employing a new computational approach. More specifically, we were looking for common activation of nouns and objects, and actions and verbs, representing the canonical and mirror neuron system, respectively. Using multivariate pattern analysis, a resulting linear classifier indeed successfully generalized from distinguishing actions from objects in pictures to distinguishing the respective verbs from nouns in written words. Further, these action-related pattern responses were detailed by recently introduced predictive pattern decomposition into the constituent activity atoms and their relative contributions. The findings support the concept of canonical neurons and mirror neurons implementing embodied processes with separate roles in distinguishing objects from actions, and nouns from verbs, respectively. This example of neuronal recycling processing algorithms is consistent with a multimodal brain signature of human action and object concepts. Embodied language theory is thus merged with actual neurobiological implementation.
Focused Ultrasound-enabled Brain Tumor Liquid Biopsy
Authors: Zhu Lifei , Cheng Galen , Ye Dezhuang , Nazeri Arash , Yue Yimei , Liu Weijun , Wang Xiaowei , Dunn Gavin P. , Petti Allegra A. , Leuthardt Eric C. , Chen Hong
Published: April 2018

Although blood-based liquid biopsies have emerged as a promising non-invasive method to detect biomarkers in various cancers, limited progress has been made for brain tumors. One major obstacle is the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which hinders efficient passage of tumor biomarkers into the peripheral circulation. The objective of this study was to determine whether FUS in combination with microbubbles can enhance the release of biomarkers from the brain tumor to the blood circulation. Two glioblastoma tumor models (U87 and GL261), developed by intracranial injection of respective enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-transduced glioblastoma cells, were treated by FUS in the presence of systemically injected microbubbles. Effect of FUS on plasma eGFP mRNA levels was determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. eGFP mRNA were only detectable in the FUS-treated U87 mice and undetectable in the untreated U87 mice (maximum cycle number set to 40). This finding was replicated in GL261 mice across three different acoustic pressures. The circulating levels of eGFP mRNA were 1,500–4,800 fold higher in the FUS-treated GL261 mice than that of the untreated mice for the three acoustic pressures. This study demonstrated the feasibility of FUS-enabled brain tumor liquid biopsies in two different murine glioma models across different acoustic pressures.
Evaluation of subconjunctival liposomal steroids for the treatment of experimental uveitis
Authors: Wong Chee Wai , Czarny Bertrand , Metselaar Josbert M. , Ho Candice , Ng Si Rui , Barathi Amutha Veluchamy , Storm Gert , Wong Tina T.
Published: April 2018

Non-infectious anterior uveitis (AU) is a potentially sight threatening inflammatory condition. The current gold standard for treatment is topical steroids, but low ocular bioavailability and compliance issues with the intensive dosing regimen limit the efficacy of this treatment. Liposomes as a drug delivery system may help to overcome these problems. We studied the efficacy of a PEG-liposomal formulation of liposomal steroids, administered as a single subconjunctival dose, in the treatment of experimental uveitis in rabbit eyes. Rabbits that received subconjunctival liposomal triamcinolone acetonide phosphate (LTAP) or liposomal prednisolone phosphate (LPP) had significantly lower mean inflammatory scores than untreated controls on Day 4 after induction of uveitis (LPP vs controls, p = 0.049) and 8 (LPP vs controls, p = 0.007; LTAP vs controls, p = 0.019), and lower scores than rabbits given topical PredForte1% 4 times a day on Day 8 (p = 0.03). After antigen rechallenge, the subconjunctival liposomal steroid groups continued to have greater suppression of inflammation than untreated controls on Day 11 (p = 0.02). Localization of liposomes in inflamed ocular tissue was confirmed by histology and immunostaining, and persisted in the eye for at least one month. Our study demonstrates that a single subconjunctival injection of liposomal steroids induces effective and sustained anti-inflammatory action.
A unique hybrid-structured surface produced by rapid electrochemical anodization enhances bio-corrosion resistance and bone cell responses of β-type Ti-24Nb-4Zr-8Sn alloy
Authors: Liu Chia-Fei , Lee Tzu-Hsin , Liu Jeng-Fen , Hou Wen-Tao , Li Shu-Jun , Hao Yu-Lin , Pan Haobo , Huang Her-Hsiung
Published: April 2018

Ti-24Nb-4Zr-8Sn (Ti2448), a new β-type Ti alloy, consists of nontoxic elements and exhibits a low uniaxial tensile elastic modulus of approximately 45 GPa for biomedical implant applications. Nevertheless, the bio-corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of Ti2448 alloys must be improved for long-term clinical use. In this study, a rapid electrochemical anodization treatment was used on Ti2448 alloys to enhance the bio-corrosion resistance and bone cell responses by altering the surface characteristics. The proposed anodization process produces a unique hybrid oxide layer (thickness 50–120 nm) comprising a mesoporous outer section and a dense inner section. Experiment results show that the dense inner section enhances the bio-corrosion resistance. Moreover, the mesoporous surface topography, which is on a similar scale as various biological species, improves the wettability, protein adsorption, focal adhesion complex formation and bone cell differentiation. Outside-in signals can be triggered through the interaction of integrins with the mesoporous topography to form the focal adhesion complex and to further induce osteogenic differentiation pathway. These results demonstrate that the proposed electrochemical anodization process for Ti2448 alloys with a low uniaxial tensile elastic modulus has the potential for biomedical implant applications.
Phenotypic variability between Social Dominance Ranks in laboratory mice
Authors: Varholick Justin A. , Bailoo Jeremy D. , Palme Rupert , Würbel Hanno
Published: April 2018

The laboratory mouse is the most prevalent animal used in experimental procedures in the biomedical and behavioural sciences. Yet, many scientists fail to consider the animals’ social context. Within a cage, mice may differ in their behaviour and physiology depending on their dominance relationships. Therefore, dominance relationships may be a confounding factor in animal experiments. The current study housed male and female C57BL/6ByJ mice in same-sex groups of 5 in standard laboratory conditions and investigated whether dominance hierarchies were present and stable across three weeks, and whether mice of different dominance ranks varied consistently in behaviour and physiology. We found that dominance ranks of most mice changed with time, but were most stable between the 2nd and 3rd week of testing. Phenotypic measures were also highly variable, and we found no relation between dominance rank and phenotype. Further, we found limited evidence that variation in measures of phenotype was associated with cage assignment for either males or females. Taken together, these findings do not lend support to the general assumption that individual variation among mice is larger between cages than within cages.
Feeding young infants with their head in upright position reduces respiratory and ear morbidity
Authors: Avital Avraham , Donchin Milka , Springer Chaim , Cohen Shlomo , Danino Efrat
Published: April 2018

The influence of feeding position of the infant in the pathogenesis of ear and airway diseases has not been well established. We investigated the influence of instructing mothers to feed their 3-month old infants with their head in an upright position on ear and respiratory morbidity during a one-year follow-up. Mothers of 88 infants were instructed by trained nurses to feed their infants with their head in upright position (intervention group). The control group consisted of 75 mothers of infants of similar socioeconomic background who fed their infants without special instructions. Both groups were followed at Maternal-Child-Health clinics. Feeding position was evaluated at the beginning and the end of the twelve-month study, and parent reported morbidity data of both groups were evaluated at every 3-month’s follow-up meeting. Infants from the intervention group were fed at a more upright head position. Parameters of parent reported morbidity evaluated as area under the curve were significantly lower in infants from the intervention group concerning ear diseases, respiratory diseases, prolonged fever episodes, need of bronchodilator inhalations and antibiotic courses compared to the control group. Instructing mothers to feed infants with their head in upright position was accompanied with less morbidity and treatment burden.
HIV antiretroviral exposure in pregnancy induces detrimental placenta vascular changes that are rescued by progesterone supplementation
Authors: Mohammadi Hakimeh , Papp Eszter , Cahill Lindsay , Rennie Monique , Banko Nicole , Pinnaduwage Lakmini , Lee Janice , Kibschull Mark , Dunk Caroline , Sled John G. , Serghides Lena
Published: April 2018

Adverse birth outcomes are common in HIV-positive pregnant women receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), especially when cART is initiated in early pregnancy. The mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using a mouse model we demonstrate that protease inhibitor based-cART exposure beginning on day 1 of pregnancy was associated with a pro-angiogenic/pro-branching shift in the placenta driven by lower Flt-1 levels and higher Gcm-1 expression. Micro-CT imaging revealed an increase in the number of arterioles in cART-treated placentas, which correlated with fetal growth restriction. Delaying initiation of cART, or supplementing cART-treated mice with progesterone, prevented the pro-angiogenic/pro-branching shift and the associated placenta vascular changes. In agreement with our mouse findings, we observed an increase in the number of terminal-villi capillaries in placentas from HIV-positive cART-exposed women compared to HIV-negative controls. Capillary number was inversely correlated to maternal progesterone levels. Our study provides evidence that cART exposure during pregnancy influences placenta vascular formation that may in turn contribute to fetal growth restriction. Our findings highlight the need for closer investigation of the placenta in HIV-positive pregnancies, particularly for pregnancies exposed to cART from conception, and suggest that progesterone supplementation could be investigated as a possible intervention to improve placenta function in HIV-positive pregnant women.
Self-homodimerization of an actinoporin by disulfide bridging reveals implications for their structure and pore formation
Authors: Valle Aisel , Pérez-Socas Luis Benito , Canet Liem , Hervis Yadira de la Patria , de Armas-Guitart German , Martins-de-Sa Diogo , Lima Jônatas Cunha Barbosa , Souza Adolfo Carlos Barros , Barbosa João Alexandre Ribeiro Gonçalves , de Freitas Sonia Maria , Pazos Isabel Fabiola
Published: April 2018

The Trp111 to Cys mutant of sticholysin I, an actinoporin from Stichodactyla helianthus sea anemone, forms a homodimer via a disulfide bridge. The purified dimer is 193 times less hemolytic than the monomer. Ultracentrifugation, dynamic light scattering and size-exclusion chromatography demonstrate that monomers and dimers are the only independent oligomeric states encountered. Indeed, circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopies showed that Trp/Tyr residues participate in homodimerization and that the dimer is less thermostable than the monomer. A homodimer three-dimensional model was constructed and indicates that Trp147/Tyr137 are at the homodimer interface. Spectroscopy results validated the 3D-model and assigned 85° to the disulfide bridge dihedral angle responsible for dimerization. The homodimer model suggests that alterations in the membrane/carbohydrate-binding sites in one of the monomers, as result of dimerization, could explain the decrease in the homodimer ability to form pores.
A compendium of long non-coding RNAs transcriptional fingerprint in multiple myeloma
Authors: Ronchetti Domenica , Agnelli Luca , Pietrelli Alessandro , Todoerti Katia , Manzoni Martina , Taiana Elisa , Neri Antonino
Published: April 2018

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal proliferation of bone marrow plasma cells characterized by highly heterogeneous genetic background and clinical course, whose pathogenesis remains largely unknown. Long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) are a large class of non-protein-coding RNA, involved in many physiological cellular and genomic processes as well as in carcinogenesis and tumor evolution. Although still in its infancy, the role of lncRNAs in MM is progressively expanding. Besides studies on selected candidates, lncRNAs expression at genome-wide transcriptome level is confined to microarray technologies, thus investigating a limited collection of transcripts. In the present study investigating a cohort of 30 MM patients, a deep RNA-sequencing analysis overwhelmed previous array studies and allowed the most accurate definition of lncRNA transcripts structure and expression, ultimately providing a comprehensive catalogue of lncRNAs specifically associated with the main MM molecular subgroups and genetic alterations. Despite the small number of analyzed samples, the high accuracy of RNA-sequencing approach for complex transcriptome processing led to the identification of 391 deregulated lncRNAs, 67% of which were also detectable and validated by whole-transcript microarrays. In addition, we identified a list of lncRNAs, with potential relevance in MM, co-expressed and in close proximity to genes that might undergo a cis-regulatory relationship.
Identification of the allosteric P2X7 receptor antagonist [11C]SMW139 as a PET tracer of microglial activation
Authors: Janssen Bieneke , Vugts Danielle J. , Wilkinson Shane M. , Ory Dieter , Chalon Sylvie , Hoozemans Jeroen J. M. , Schuit Robert C. , Beaino Wissam , Kooijman Esther J. M. , van den Hoek Johan , Chishty Mansoor , Doméné Aurélie , Van der Perren Anke , Villa Alessandro , Maggi Adriana , Molenaar Ger T. , Funke Uta , Shevchenko Rostislav V. , Baekelandt Veerle , Bormans Guy , Lammertsma Adriaan A. , Kassiou Michael , Windhorst Albert D.
Published: April 2018

The P2X7 receptor plays a significant role in microglial activation, and as a potential drug target, the P2X7 receptor is also an interesting target in positron emission tomography. The current study aimed at the development and evaluation of a potent tracer targeting the P2X7 receptor, to which end four adamantanyl benzamide analogues with high affinity for the human P2X7 receptor were labelled with carbon-11. All four analogues could be obtained in excellent radiochemical yield and high radiochemical purity and molar activity, and all analogues entered the rat brain. [11C]SMW139 showed the highest metabolic stability in rat plasma, and showed high binding to the hP2X7 receptor in vivo in a hP2X7 receptor overexpressing rat model. Although no significant difference in binding of [11C]SMW139 was observed between post mortem brain tissue of Alzheimer’s disease patients and that of healthy controls in in vitro autoradiography experiments, [11C]SMW139 could be a promising tracer for P2X7 receptor imaging using positron emission tomography, due to high receptor binding in vivo in the hP2X7 receptor overexpressing rat model. However, further investigation of both P2X7 receptor expression and binding of [11C]SMW139 in other neurological diseases involving microglial activation is warranted.
Unhealthy behaviours and risk of visual impairment: The CONSTANCES population-based cohort
Authors: Merle Bénédicte M. J. , Moreau Gwendoline , Ozguler Anna , Srour Bernard , Cougnard-Grégoire Audrey , Goldberg Marcel , Zins Marie , Delcourt Cécile
Published: April 2018

Unhealthy behaviours are linked to a higher risk of eye diseases, but their combined effect on visual function is unknown. We aimed to examine the individual and combined associations of diet, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption with visual impairment among French adults. 38 903 participants aged 18–73 years from the CONSTANCES nationwide cohort (2012–2016) with visual acuity measured and who completed, lifestyle, medical and food frequency questionnaires were included. Visual impairment was defined as a presenting visual acuity <20/40 in the better eye. After full multivariate adjustment, the odds for visual impairment increased with decreasing diet quality (p for trend = 0.04), decreasing physical activity (p for trend = 0.02) and increasing smoking pack-years (p for trend = 0.03), whereas no statistically significant association with alcohol consumption was found. Combination of several unhealthy behaviours was associated with increasing odds for visual impairment (p for trend = 0.0002), with a fully-adjusted odds ratio of 1.81 (95% CI 1.18 to 2.79) for participants reporting 2 unhealthy behaviours and 2.92 (95% CI 1.60 to 5.32) for those reporting 3 unhealthy behaviours. An unhealthy lifestyle including low/intermediate diet quality, low physical activity and heavy smoking was associated with visual impairment in this large population-based study.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or Psychoeducation for the Reduction of Menopausal Symptoms: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Wong Carmen , Yip Benjamin Hon-Kei , Gao Ting , Lam Kitty Yu Yuk , Woo Doris Mei Sum , Yip Annie Lai King , Chin Chloe Yu , Tang Winnie Pui Yin , Choy Mandy Mun Tse , Tsang Katrina Wai Key , Ho Suzanne C. , Ma Helen Shuk Wah , Wong Samuel Yeung Shan
Published: April 2018

Psychological and behavioural interventions may be effective in reducing menopause-related symptoms. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in reducing menopause-related symptoms by comparing with an active control group, the menopause education control (MEC). Symptomatic peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women with mild to moderate symptoms were recruited. The primary outcome was overall menopausal symptoms measured by modified Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS). Secondary outcomes include subscales of the GCS perceived stress, mindfulness and health related Quality of Life. All outcome measures were collected at baseline, 2 months (immediately post intervention), 5 and 8 months (3 and 6 months post intervention respectively). Both MBSR (n = 98) and MEC (n = 99) groups reported a reduction in total GCS score at 8 months. Between group analysis show significant symptom score reduction in MBSR group on Anxiety and Depression subscales of GCS. No differences were found between groups on other GCS subscales and majority of the secondary outcome measures. The findings show that menopausal symptoms in both MBSR and MEC significantly reduced over the study period. MBSR show a greater reduction of psychological symptoms of depression and anxiety above active controls but do not reduce other somatic, urogenital and vasomotor symptoms.
MitoQ supplementation prevent long-term impact of maternal smoking on renal development, oxidative stress and mitochondrial density in male mice offspring
Authors: Sukjamnong Suporn , Chan Yik Lung , Zakarya Razia , Nguyen Long The , Anwer Ayad G. , Zaky Amgad A. , Santiyanont Rachana , Oliver Brian G. , Goldys Ewa , Pollock Carol A. , Chen Hui , Saad Sonia
Published: April 2018

To investigate the effect of maternal MitoQ treatment on renal disorders caused by maternal cigarette smoke exposure (SE). We have demonstrated that maternal SE during pregnancy increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adult offspring. Mitochondrial oxidative damage contributes to the adverse effects of maternal smoking on renal disorders. MitoQ is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant that has been shown to protect against oxidative damage-related pathologies in many diseases. Female Balb/c mice (8 weeks) were divided into Sham (exposed to air), SE (exposed to cigarette smoke) and SEMQ (exposed to cigarette smoke with MitoQ supplemented from mating) groups. Kidneys from the mothers were collected when the pups weaned and those from the offspring were collected at 13 weeks. Maternal MitoQ supplementation during gestation and lactation significantly reversed the adverse impact of maternal SE on offspring’s body weight, kidney mass and renal pathology. MitoQ administration also significantly reversed the impact of SE on the renal cellular mitochondrial density and renal total reactive oxygen species in both the mothers and their offspring in adulthood. Our results suggested that MitoQ supplementation can mitigate the adverse impact of maternal SE on offspring’s renal pathology, renal oxidative stress and mitochondrial density in mice offspring.
Quantitative correlation between the void morphology of niobium-tin wires and their irreversible critical current degradation upon mechanical loading
Authors: Barth C. , Seeber B. , Rack A. , Calzolaio C. , Zhai Y. , Matera D. , Senatore C.
Published: April 2018

Understanding the critical current performance variation of Nb3Sn superconducting wires under mechanical loading is a crucial issue for the design of next generation accelerator and fusion magnets. In these applications, the mechanical properties of the conductors may become a limiting factor due to the strong electro-magnetic forces resulting from the combination of large magnets and intense magnetic fields. In particular, the presence of voids in the superconducting filament structure, which are formed during the fabrication and the reaction heat treatment, determines localized stress concentrations and possibly the formation of cracks. In this work, we demonstrate a quantitative correlation between the void morphology and the electro-mechanical limits measured on different Bronze route Nb3Sn wires. Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) prior to the reaction heat treatment is utilized to partially eliminate the voids. The wires’ void distributions - with and without HIP treatment - are detected and statistically analyzed using high energy X-ray micro tomography. The stress concentration due to the shape and distribution of the voids as well as their impact on the electro-mechanical properties are determined through finite element method modeling. Finally, the results are quantitatively correlated with the experimentally determined limits of the irreversible critical current degradation upon mechanical loading.
An improved deep learning approach for detection of thyroid papillary cancer in ultrasound images
Authors: Li Hailiang , Weng Jian , Shi Yujian , Gu Wanrong , Mao Yijun , Wang Yonghua , Liu Weiwei , Zhang Jiajie
Published: April 2018

Unlike daily routine images, ultrasound images are usually monochrome and low-resolution. In ultrasound images, the cancer regions are usually blurred, vague margin and irregular in shape. Moreover, the features of cancer region are very similar to normal or benign tissues. Therefore, training ultrasound images with original Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) directly is not satisfactory. In our study, inspired by state-of-the-art object detection network Faster R-CNN, we develop a detector which is more suitable for thyroid papillary carcinoma detection in ultrasound images. In order to improve the accuracy of the detection, we add a spatial constrained layer to CNN so that the detector can extract the features of surrounding region in which the cancer regions are residing. In addition, by concatenating the shallow and deep layers of the CNN, the detector can detect blurrier or smaller cancer regions. The experiments demonstrate that the potential of this new methodology can reduce the workload for pathologists and increase the objectivity of diagnoses. We find that 93:5% of papillary thyroid carcinoma regions could be detected automatically while 81:5% of benign and normal tissue could be excluded without the use of any additional immunohistochemical markers or human intervention.
Comparative systems analysis of the secretome of the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus and other Aspergillus species
Authors: Vivek-Ananth R. P. , Mohanraj Karthikeyan , Vandanashree Muralidharan , Jhingran Anupam , Craig James P. , Samal Areejit
Published: April 2018

Aspergillus fumigatus and multiple other Aspergillus species cause a wide range of lung infections, collectively termed aspergillosis. Aspergilli are ubiquitous in environment with healthy immune systems routinely eliminating inhaled conidia, however, Aspergilli can become an opportunistic pathogen in immune-compromised patients. The aspergillosis mortality rate and emergence of drug-resistance reveals an urgent need to identify novel targets. Secreted and cell membrane proteins play a critical role in fungal-host interactions and pathogenesis. Using a computational pipeline integrating data from high-throughput experiments and bioinformatic predictions, we have identified secreted and cell membrane proteins in ten Aspergillus species known to cause aspergillosis. Small secreted and effector-like proteins similar to agents of fungal-plant pathogenesis were also identified within each secretome. A comparison with humans revealed that at least 70% of Aspergillus secretomes have no sequence similarity with the human proteome. An analysis of antigenic qualities of Aspergillus proteins revealed that the secretome is significantly more antigenic than cell membrane proteins or the complete proteome. Finally, overlaying an expression dataset, four A. fumigatus proteins upregulated during infection and with available structures, were found to be structurally similar to known drug target proteins in other organisms, and were able to dock in silico with the respective drug.
A Temporal Examination of Platelet Counts as a Predictor of Prognosis in Lung, Prostate, and Colon Cancer Patients
Authors: Sylman Joanna L. , Boyce Hunter B. , Mitrugno Annachiara , Tormoen Garth W. , Thomas I-Chun , Wagner Todd H. , Lee Jennifer S. , Leppert John T. , McCarty Owen J. T. , Mallick Parag
Published: April 2018

Platelets, components of hemostasis, when present in excess (>400 K/μL, thrombocytosis) have also been associated with worse outcomes in lung, ovarian, breast, renal, and colorectal cancer patients. Associations between thrombocytosis and cancer outcomes have been made mostly from single-time-point studies, often at the time of diagnosis. Using laboratory data from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), we examined the potential benefits of using longitudinal platelet counts in improving patient prognosis predictions. Ten features (summary statistics and engineered features) were derived to describe the platelet counts of 10,000+ VA lung, prostate, and colon cancer patients and incorporated into an age-adjusted LASSO regression analysis to determine feature importance, and predict overall or relapse-free survival, which was compared to the previously used approach of monitoring for thrombocytosis near diagnosis (Postdiag AG400 model). Temporal features describing acute platelet count increases/decreases were found to be important in cancer survival and relapse-survival that helped stratify good and bad outcomes of cancer patient groups. Predictions of overall and relapse-free survival were improved by up to 30% compared to the Postdiag AG400 model. Our study indicates the association of temporally derived platelet count features with a patients’ prognosis predictions.
Epidemics of HIV, HCV and syphilis infection among synthetic drugs only users, heroin-only users and poly-drug users in Southwest China
Authors: Su Shu , Mao Limin , Zhao Jinxian , Chen Liang , Jing Jun , Cheng Feng , Zhang Lei
Published: April 2018

The number of poly-drug users who mix use heroin and synthetic drugs (SD) is increasing worldwide. The objective of this study is to measure the risk factors for being infected with hepatitis C (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis among SD-only users, heroin-only users and poly-drug users. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 from a national HIV surveillance site in Southwest China, 447 poly-drug, 526 SD-only and 318 heroin-only users were recruited. Poly-drug users have higher drug-use frequency, higher rates of drug-sharing and unsafe sexual acts than other users (p < 0.05). About a third (36.7%) of poly-drug users experienced sexual arousal due to drug effects, which is higher than the rate among other drug users. Poly-drug users had the highest prevalence of HIV (10.5%) and syphilis (3.6%), but heroin-only users had the highest prevalence of HCV (66.0%) (all p < 0.05) among three groups. Logistic regression shows among poly-drug users, having sex following drug consumption and using drugs ≥1/day were the major risk factors for both HIV (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.4, 95% CI [1.8–3.4]; 2.3, [1.6–3.1]) and syphilis infection (AOR = 4.1, [2.1–6.9]; 3.9, [1.8–5.4]). Elevated risk of both HIV and syphilis infection have been established among poly-drug users.
Tilted grating phase-contrast computed tomography using statistical iterative reconstruction
Authors: Birnbacher Lorenz , Viermetz Manuel , Noichl Wolfgang , Allner Sebastian , Fehringer Andreas , Marschner Mathias , von Teuffenbach Maximilian , Willner Marian , Achterhold Klaus , Noël Peter B. , Koehler Thomas , Herzen Julia , Pfeiffer Franz
Published: April 2018

Grating-based phase-contrast computed tomography (GBPC-CT) enables increased soft tissue differentiation, but often suffers from streak artifacts when performing high-sensitivity GBPC-CT of biomedical samples. Current GBPC-CT setups consist of one-dimensional gratings and hence allow to measure only the differential phase-contrast (DPC) signal perpendicular to the direction of the grating lines. Having access to the full two-dimensional DPC signal can strongly reduce streak artefacts showing up as characteristic horizontal lines in the reconstructed images. GBPC-CT with gratings tilted by 45° around the optical axis, combining opposed projections, and reconstructing with filtered backprojection is one method to retrieve the full three-dimensional DPC signal. This approach improves the quality of the tomographic data as already demonstrated at a synchrotron facility. However, additional processing and interpolation is necessary, and the approach fails when dealing with cone-beam geometry setups. In this work, we employ the tilted grating configuration with a laboratory GBPC-CT setup with cone-beam geometry and use statistical iterative reconstruction (SIR) with a forward model accounting for diagonal grating alignment. Our results show a strong reduction of streak artefacts and significant increase in image quality. In contrast to the prior approach our proposed method can be used in a laboratory environment due to its cone-beam compatibility.
A thin ice layer segregates two distinct fungal communities in Antarctic brines from Tarn Flat (Northern Victoria Land)
Authors: Borruso Luigimaria , Sannino Ciro , Selbmann Laura , Battistel Dario , Zucconi Laura , Azzaro Maurizio , Turchetti Benedetta , Buzzini Pietro , Guglielmin Mauro
Published: April 2018

Brines are hypersaline solutions which have been found within the Antarctic permafrost from the Tarn Flat area (Northern Victoria Land). Here, an investigation on the possible presence and diversity of fungal life within those peculiar ecosystems has been carried out for the first time. Brines samples were collected at 4- and 5-meter depths (TF1 and TF2, respectively), from two brines separated by a thin ice layer. The samples were analyzed via Illumina MiSeq targeting the ITS region specific for both yeasts and filamentous fungi. An unexpected high alpha diversity was found. Beta diversity analysis revealed that the two brines were inhabited by two phylogenetically diverse fungal communities (Unifrac value: 0.56, p value < 0.01; Martin’s P-test p-value < 0.001) characterized by several specialist taxa. The most abundant fungal genera were Candida sp., Leucosporidium sp., Naganishia sp. and Sporobolomyces sp. in TF1, and Leucosporidium sp., Malassezia sp., Naganishia sp. and Sporobolomyces sp. in TF2. A few hypotheses on such differentiation have been done: i) the different chemical and physical composition of the brines; ii) the presence in situ of a thin layer of ice, acting as a physical barrier; and iii) the diverse geological origin of the brines.
Human-Pathogenic Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Captive Giant Pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in China
Authors: Li Wei , Zhong Zhijun , Song Yuan , Gong Chao , Deng Lei , Cao Yuying , Zhou Ziyao , Cao Xuefeng , Tian Yinan , Li Haozhou , Feng Fan , Zhang Yue , Wang Chengdong , Li Caiwu , Yang Haidi , Huang Xiangming , Fu Hualin , Geng Yi , Ren Zhihua , Wu Kongju , Peng Guangneng
Published: April 2018

Human and animal infections of Enterocytozoon bieneusi (E. bieneusi) have consistently been reported worldwide, garnering public attention; however, the molecular epidemiology of E. bieneusi in the giant panda remains limited. We surveyed captive giant pandas in China for the presence of E. bieneusi by using PCR and sequence analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) revealing a 34.5% positive rate, with seven known genotypes (SC02, EpbC, CHB1, SC01, D, F, and Peru 6) and five novel genotypes (SC04, SC05, SC06, SC07, and SC08) identified. We similarly analyzed water samples, and E. bieneusi was detected in two samples, with genotype SC02 identified. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that CHB1 did not cluster with any recognized group, while the remaining genotypes belonged to group 1. The predominance of zoonotic group 1 genotypes indicates a public health threat that giant pandas could spread E. bieneusi to humans. The identification of E. bieneusi in water samples suggests giant pandas could contribute to water contamination. Effective control measures are therefore needed to minimize the contamination of the water and prevent a human microsporidiosis outbreak.
Effects of cone combinations on the signal enhancement by nitrogen in LA-ICP-MS
Authors: He Tao , Ni Qian , Miao Qi , Li Ming
Published: April 2018

The geometry of the skimmer cone is an important factor for signal enhancement and the reduction of oxides by the addition of nitrogen in LA-ICP-MS.
Natural deep eutectic solvents as new green solvents to extract anthraquinones from Rheum palmatum L.
Authors: Wu Y. C. , Wu P. , Li Y. B. , Liu T. C. , Zhang L. , Zhou Y. H.
Published: April 2018

Natural deep eutectic solvents ultrasound-assisted extraction (NADES-UAE) was applied to extract total anthraquinones from Rheum palmatum L.
Molecular species forming at the α-Fe2O3 nanoparticle–aqueous solution interface
Authors: Ali Hebatallah , Seidel Robert , Pohl Marvin N. , Winter Bernd
Published: April 2018

Local electronic-structure interaction, dissociative water adsorption, and electron-delocalization time at the α-Fe2O3 nanoparticle–aqueous solution interface are revealed from liquid-jet photoelectron spectroscopy at the oxygen-1s and iron-2p resonances.
Rapid and selective DNA-based detection of melamine using α-hemolysin nanopores
Authors: Sheng Yingying , You Yi , Cao Zhong , Liu Lei , Wu Hai-Chen
Published: April 2018

We have developed a rapid and selective approach for the detection of melamine based on simple DNA probes and α-hemolysin nanopores.
Advances in heterocycle synthesis via [3+m]-cycloaddition reactions involving an azaoxyallyl cation as the key intermediate
Authors: Xuan Jun , Cao Xia , Cheng Xiao
Published: April 2018

This feature article highlights recent advances in heterocycle synthesis via [3+m]-cycloaddition reactions involving an azaoxyallyl cation as the key intermediate.
Crystallization of CH3NH3PbI3−xBrx perovskite from micro-droplets of lead acetate precursor solution
Authors: Li Yahui , Zhao Zhenhao , Cao Xiaobing , Zhi Lili , Lin Feng , Ci Lijie , Cui Xian , Wei Jinquan
Published: April 2018

The crystallization of perovskite from a lead acetate precursor solution added with some PbBr2 by a micro-droplet method is investigated.
Pharmaceutical cocrystals of naringenin with improved dissolution performance
Authors: Luo Chun , Liang Wendong , Chen Xin , Wang Jianming , Deng Zongwu , Zhang Hailu
Published: April 2018

Four pharmaceutical cocrystals of naringenin were obtained, which demonstrate improved dissolution performance.
COSMO-RI-ADC(2) excitation energies and excited state gradients
Authors: Karbalaei Khani Sarah , Marefat Khah Alireza , Hättig Christof
Published: April 2018

Evaluating vertical excitation energies and excited state analytic gradients in solution at COSMO-ADC(2).
Electronic and optical properties of boron phosphide/blue phosphorus heterostructures
Authors: Mogulkoc Yesim , Modarresi Mohsen , Mogulkoc Aybey , Alkan Bora
Published: April 2018

The dynamically stable boron-phosphide/blue-phosphorus heterostructures are a good UV absorber while being transparent in the visible region.
Structural and photodynamic properties of the anti-cancer drug irinotecan in aqueous solutions of different pHs
Authors: di Nunzio Maria Rosaria , Douhal Yasmin , Organero Juan Angel , Douhal Abderrazzak
Published: April 2018

The influence of pH on the structures and dynamics of irinotecan (a potent anti-cancer drug) in water solutions was elucidated.