bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of prenatal binge‐like ethanol exposure and maternal stress on postnatal morphological development of hippocampal neurons in rats
Authors: Jakubowska‐Dogru Ewa , Elibol Birsen , Dursun Ilknur , Yürüker Sinan
Published: June 2017

Background

Alcohol is one of the most commonly used drugs of abuse negatively affecting human health and it is known as a potent teratogen responsible for fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which is characterized by cognitive deficits especially pronounced in juveniles but ameliorating in adults. Searching for the potential morphological correlates of these effects, in this study, we compared the course of developmental changes in the morphology of principal hippocampal neurons in fetal‐alcohol (A group), intubated control (IC group), and intact control male rats (C group) over a protracted period of the first two postnatal months.

Methods

Ethanol was administered to the pregnant Wistar dams intragastrically, throughout gestation days (GD) 7–20, at a total dose of 6 g/kg/day resulting in the mean blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 246.6 ± 40.9 mg/dl. Ten morphometric parameters of Golgi‐stained hippocampal neurons (pyramidal and granule) from CA1, CA3, and DG areas were examined at critical postnatal days (PD): at birth (PD1), at the end of the brain growth spurt period (PD10), in juveniles (PD30), and in young adults (PD60).

Results

During postnatal development, the temporal pattern of morphometric changes was shown to be region‐dependent with most significant alterations observed between PD1‐30 in the CA region and between PD10‐30 in the DG region. It was also parameter‐dependent with the soma size (except for CA3 pyramids), number of primary dendrites, dendrite diameter, dendritic tortuosity and the branch angle demonstrating little changes, while the total dendritic field area, dendritic length, number of dendritic bifurcations, and spine density being highly increased in all hippocampal regions during the first postnatal month. Moderate ethanol intoxication and the maternal intubation stress during gestation, showed similar, transient effects on the neuron development manifested as a smaller soma size in granule cells, reduced dendritic parameters and lower spine density in pyramidal neurons at PD1. Full recovery from these effects took place within the first 10 postnatal days.

Conclusions

This study showed regional and temporal differences in the development of different morphometric features of principal hippocampal neurons in intact subjects over a protracted 2‐months postnatal period. It also demonstrated an overlap in the effects of a moderate fetal ethanol intoxication and a mild maternal stress produced by the intragastric intubation, a commonly used method of ethanol administration to the pregnant dams. Fast recovery from the adverse effects on the soma size, dendritic arborization and spines density observed at birth indicates towards the fetal ethanol/stress induced developmental retardation.
Dose‐Dependent Effects of AbobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport) on Spasticity and Active Movements in Adults With Upper Limb Spasticity: Secondary Analysis of a Phase 3 Study
Authors: O'Dell Michael W. , Brashear Allison , Jech Robert , Lejeune Thierry , Marque Philippe , Bensmail Djamel , Ayyoub Ziyad , Simpson David M. , Volteau Magali , Vilain Claire , Picaut Philippe , Gracies Jean Michel
Published: June 2017

Background

AbobotulinumtoxinA has beneficial effects on spasticity and active movements in hemiparetic adults with upper limb spasticity (ULS). However, evidence‐based information on optimal dosing for clinical use is limited.

Objective

To describe joint‐specific dose effects of abobotulinumtoxinA in adults with ULS.

Design

Secondary analysis of a phase 3 study (NCT01313299).

Setting

Multicenter, international, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial.

Participants

A total of 243 adults with ULS >6 months after stroke or traumatic brain injury, aged 52.8 (13.5) years and 64.3% male, randomized 1:1:1 to receive a single‐injection cycle of placebo or abobotulinumtoxinA 500 U or 1000 U (total dose).

Methods

The overall effects of injected doses were assessed in the primary analysis, which showed improvement of angles of catch in finger, wrist, and elbow flexors and of active range of motion against these muscle groups. This secondary analysis was performed at each of the possible doses received by finger, wrist, and elbow flexors to establish possible dose effects.

Main Outcome Measures

Angle of arrest (XV1) and angle of catch (XV3) were assessed with the Tardieu Scale, and active range of motion (XA).

Results

At each muscle group level (finger, wrist, and elbow flexors) improvements in all outcome measures assessed (XV1, XV3, XA) were observed. In each muscle group, increases in abobotulinumtoxinA dose were associated with greater improvements in XV3 and XA, suggesting a dose‐dependent effect.

Conclusions

Previous clinical trials have established the clinical efficacy of abobotulinumtoxinA by total dose only. The wide range of abobotulinumtoxinA doses per muscle groups used in this study allowed observation of dose‐dependent improvements in spasticity and active movement. This information provides a basis for future abobotulinumtoxinA dosing recommendations for health care professionals based on treatment objectives and quantitative assessment of spasticity and active range of motion at individual joints.

Level of Evidence

I
Chemical Hand Warmer Packet Ingestion: A Case of Elemental Iron Exposure
Authors: Weiland Jessica L. , Sherrow Leighanne K. , Jayant Deepak A. , Katz Kenneth D.
Published: June 2017

For individuals who work outdoors in the winter or play winter sports, chemical hand warmers are becoming increasingly more commonplace because of their convenience and effectiveness. A 32-year-old woman with a history of chronic pain and bipolar disorder presented to the emergency department complaining of a “warm sensation” in her mouth and epigastrium after reportedly ingesting the partial contents of a chemical hand warmer packet containing between 5 and 8 g of elemental iron. She had been complaining of abdominal pain for approximately 1 month and was prescribed unknown antibiotics the previous day. The patient denied ingestion of any other product or medication other than what was prescribed. A serum iron level obtained approximately 6 hours after ingestion measured 235 micrograms/dL (reference range 40–180 micrograms/dL). As the patient demonstrated no new abdominal complaints and no evidence of systemic iron toxicity, she was discharged uneventfully after education. However, the potential for significant iron toxicity exists depending on the extent of exposure to this or similar products. Treatment for severe iron toxicity may include fluid resuscitation, whole bowel irrigation, and iron chelation therapy with deferoxamine. Physicians should become aware of the toxicity associated with ingestion of commercially available hand warmers. Consultation with a medical toxicologist is recommended.
The Contradictions of Pre-election Violence: The Effects of Violence on Voter Turnout in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Bekoe Dorina A. , Burchard Stephanie M.
Published: June 2017

Politicians often foment violence before elections to reduce competitiveness and, hence, increase their chances of winning. Given that fear and intimidation may be used to prevent voters from casting their ballots, many case studies, as well as anecdotal evidence, suggest that electoral violence has a suppressive effect on voter turnout. However, until now there has been no large-scale, multi-year analysis on the effect of pre-election violence on one of its primary targets, voter turnout. Looking across sub-Saharan Africa, and more specifically at Kenya, this article examines the influence of pre-election violence on voter turnout and finds, in the aggregate, no significant effect. Nevertheless, electoral violence may be used to depress turnout, to mobilize supporters, or to punish victors. It is a persistent trend in sub-Saharan Africa and one that threatens to undermine democratic development.
Clustering instabilities in sedimenting fluid–solid systems: critical assessment of kinetic-theory-based predictions using direct numerical simulation data
Authors: Fullmer William D. , Liu Guodong , Yin Xiaolong , Hrenya Christine M.
Published: June 2017

In this work the quantitative and qualitative ability of a kinetic-theory-based two-fluid model (KT-TFM) is assessed in a state of fully periodic sedimentation (fluidization), with a focus on statistically steady, unstable (clustered) states. The accuracy of KT-TFM predictions is evaluated via direct comparison to direct numerical simulation (DNS) data. The KT-TFM and DNS results span a rather wide parameter space: mean-flow Reynolds numbers on the order of 1 and 10, mean solid volume fractions from 0.1 to 0.4, solid-to-fluid density ratios from 10 to 1000 and elastic and moderately inelastic (restitution coefficient of 0.9) conditions. Data from both KT-TFM and DNS display a rich variety of statistically steady yet unstable structures (clusters). Instantaneous snapshots of KT-TFM and DNS demonstrate remarkable qualitative agreement. This qualitative agreement is quantified by calculating the critical density ratio at which the structure transitions from a chaotic, dynamic state to a regular, plug-flow state, with good overall comparisons. Further quantitative assessments of mean and fluctuating velocities show good agreement at high density ratios but weaker agreement at intermediate to low density ratios depending on the mean-flow Reynolds numbers and solid fractions. Deviations of the KT-TFM results from the DNS data were traced to a breakdown in one of the underlying assumptions of the kinetic theory derivation: high thermal Stokes number. Surprisingly, however, even though the low Knudsen number assumption, also associated with the kinetic theory derivation, is violated throughout most of the parameter space, it does not seem to affect the good quantitative accuracy of KT-TFM simulations.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3and 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3concentrations in adult dogs are more substantially increased by oral supplementation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3than by vitamin D3
Authors: Young Lauren R. , Backus Robert C.
Published: June 2017

We previously found a weak response in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3(25(OH)D3) concentrations when dogs were supplemented with oral vitamin D3(D3). In the present study, we determined the relative potency of oral 25(OH)D3compared with D3for increasing vitamin D status in dogs with low serum 25(OH)D concentrations. Four male and three female, 4-year-old, intact, lean, genetically related, Chinese-crested/beagle dogs were studied in a randomised, single cross-over trial. After feeding a low-vitamin D diet (<4 IU/100 g) for 30 d, four dogs received daily D3supplementation at 2·3 µg/kg body weight0·75, while three dogs received a molar equivalency as 25(OH)D3. The supplements, dissolved in ethanol, were applied to a commercial treat for consumption. Serum 25(OH)D3and 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3(24R,25(OH)2D3) were analysed weekly using a validated HPLC method. Both supplementations increased (P ≤ 0·01) serum 25(OH)D3concentrations. However, oral 25(OH)D3resulted in greater (P < 0·0001) concentrations than D3by week 1, with a difference of 173 % (P < 0·0001) by week 2. The supplementation period was limited to 14 d after serum 25(OH)D3concentrations were not appearing to plateau. Thereafter, a washout period of 1 month separated the cross-over. Following 25(OH)D3, but not D3supplementation, serum 24R,25(OH)2D3concentrations increased (P ≤ 0·02), 3 to 5 weeks after initiating supplementation. Vitamin D status, as indicated by serum 25(OH)D3and 24R,25(OH)2D3concentrations, is more rapidly and efficiently increased in adult dogs by oral supplementation of 25(OH)D3than D3.
Fieldwork in Political Theory: Five Arguments for an Ethnographic Sensibility
Authors: Herzog Lisa , Zacka Bernardo
Published: June 2017

This article makes a positive case for an ethnographic sensibility in political theory. Drawing on published ethnographies and original fieldwork, it argues that an ethnographic sensibility can contribute to normative reflection in five distinct ways. It can help uncover the nature of situated normative demands (epistemic argument); diagnose obstacles encountered when responding to these demands (diagnostic argument); evaluate practices and institutions against a given set of values (evaluative argument); probe, question and refine our understanding of values (valuational argument); and uncover underlying social ontologies (ontological argument). The contribution of ethnography to normative theory is distinguished from that of other forms of empirical research, and the dangers of perspectival absorption, bias and particularism are addressed.
Greatness of Spirit: A New Virtue for Our Taxonomies?
Authors: VASALOU SOPHIA
Published: June 2017

In this paper, my aim is to present an unexplored aspect of the Arabic ethical tradition—greatness of spirit—and to assess its philosophical merit. As philosophers in this tradition approach it, greatness of spirit is essentially a virtue of moral aspiration. I consider two construals of the virtue, one as a second-order virtue, another as a virtue whose closest cousin is neo-Aristotelian emulousness. It is the latter that enables us to pick out the substantive commitments the virtue incorporates. These include its emphasis on open-ended aspiration and its self-referential elements. Having isolated these controversial features, I outline some possible defences.
The challenges of control groups, placebos and blinding in clinical trials of dietary interventions
Authors: Staudacher Heidi M. , Irving Peter M. , Lomer Miranda C. E. , Whelan Kevin
Published: June 2017

High-quality placebo-controlled evidence for food, nutrient or dietary advice interventions is vital for verifying the role of diet in optimising health or for the management of disease. This could be argued to be especially important where the benefits of dietary intervention are coupled with potential risks such as compromising nutrient intake, particularly in the case of exclusion diets. The objective of the present paper is to explore the challenges associated with clinical trials in dietary research, review the types of controls used and present the advantages and disadvantages of each, including issues regarding placebos and blinding. Placebo-controlled trials in nutrient interventions are relatively straightforward, as in general placebos can be easily produced. However, the challenges associated with conducting placebo-controlled food interventions and dietary advice interventions are protean, and this has led to a paucity of placebo-controlled food and dietary advice trials compared with drug trials. This review appraises the types of controls used in dietary intervention trials and provides recommendations and nine essential criteria for the design and development of sham diets for use in studies evaluating the effect of dietary advice, along with practical guidance regarding their evaluation. The rationale for these criteria predominantly relate to avoiding altering the outcome of interest in those delivered the sham intervention in these types of studies, while not compromising blinding.
Chemical analysis by diffraction: the Powder Diffraction File™
Authors: Fawcett T. G. , Kabekkodu S. N. , Blanton J. R. , Blanton T. N.
Published: June 2017

As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Powder Diffraction File, the PDF®is still a method for chemical and material analyses. The database and embedded software are designed to solve a range of solid-state material analysis problems that includes phase identification, quantitative analysis, crystallinity, and crystallite size measurements. A versatile platform allows users to interpret X-ray, electron, neutron, or synchrotron diffraction patterns for their analyses. Over several decades as diffraction hardware and software continued to improve, the International Centre for Diffraction Data continues to improve the methods and the PDF database, offering unprecedented analysis capabilities to the modern user.
THE ORIGINS AND THEORETICAL FOUNDATION OF ORIGINAL INSTITUTIONAL ECONOMICS RECONSIDERED
Authors: Kaufman Bruce E.
Published: June 2017

John Maurice Clark (1936) described original institutional economics (OIE) as an “elusive movement” and observed, “doubt has arisen whether it has any definable meaning at all” (p. 426). Many subsequent books and articles, with Malcolm Rutherford (2011) being the latest, have addressed this conundrum and sought to identify and describe the animating ideas behind OIE, the people who were the key contributors, and the extent to which they developed a common paradigm vision and theoretical statement. However, widely divergent narratives and non-commensurable interpretations remain. This paper, using a new research strategy, provides another examination of the early OIE story. Rather than beginning with Thorstein Veblen about 1900 (the traditional approach), the paper starts with the founding of OIE in 1918 and examines what the four leading OIE scholars—Walton Hamilton, Clark, Wesley Mitchell, and John Commons—say on OIE’s origins, paradigm vision, and role of Veblen. The conclusions are considerably revisionist.
Precipitation of (Si2−xAlx)Hf in an Al–Si–Mg–Hf Alloy
Authors: Wang Xueli , Xie Zhiqiang , Huang Huilan , Jia Zhihong , Yang Guang , Gu Lin , Liu Qing
Published: June 2017

The morphology, composition, and structure of precipitates in an Al–Si–Mg–Hf alloy after heat treatment at 560°C for 20 h were studied by means of Cs-corrected high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and first-principle calculations. Precipitates with three kinds of morphologies were observed. The rectangular and square precipitates were predominantly (Si2−xAlx)Hf phases, while the nanobelt-like precipitate is the Si2Hf phase. First-principle calculations were used to show that the Si6 and Si8 sites were the most favorable sites for Al incorporation in the orthorhombic Si2Hf phase.
What unites the voter bases of populist parties? Comparing the electorates of 15 populist parties
Authors: Rooduijn Matthijs
Published: June 2017

Various scholars have argued and demonstrated that Western European populist parties have something in common. Although these parties adhere to various ideologies and employ different organizational forms and political styles, they all endorse a similar set of ideas concerning the relationship between the people and the elite. Yet despite our increasing knowledge about these parties, so far we know only very little about populist voters. Do the voter bases of populist parties also have something in common? To answer that question, I focus on the electorates of 15 prototypical populist parties from 11 Western European countries. I show that, in contrast with widely held beliefs, the electorates of populist parties do not always consist of individuals who are more likely to be ‘losers of globalization’ with Eurosceptic attitudes, low levels of political trust, and preferences for (more) direct democracy. This suggests that ‘the’ populist voter does not exist.
Speckle-modulating optical coherence tomography in living mice and humans
Authors: Liba Orly , Lew Matthew D. , SoRelle Elliott D. , Dutta Rebecca , Sen Debasish , Moshfeghi Darius M. , Chu Steven , de la Zerda Adam
Published: June 2017

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a powerful biomedical imaging technology that relies on the coherent detection of backscattered light to image tissue morphology in vivo. As a consequence, OCT is susceptible to coherent noise (speckle noise), which imposes significant limitations on its diagnostic capabilities. Here we show speckle-modulating OCT (SM-OCT), a method based purely on light manipulation that virtually eliminates speckle noise originating from a sample. SM-OCT accomplishes this by creating and averaging an unlimited number of scans with uncorrelated speckle patterns without compromising spatial resolution. Using SM-OCT, we reveal small structures in the tissues of living animals, such as the inner stromal structure of a live mouse cornea, the fine structures inside the mouse pinna, and sweat ducts and Meissner’s corpuscle in the human fingertip skin—features that are otherwise obscured by speckle noise when using conventional OCT or OCT with current state of the art speckle reduction methods.
Giant capsids from lattice self-assembly of cyclodextrin complexes
Authors: Yang Shenyu , Yan Yun , Huang Jianbin , Petukhov Andrei V. , Kroon-Batenburg Loes M. J. , Drechsler Markus , Zhou Chengcheng , Tu Mei , Granick Steve , Jiang Lingxiang
Published: June 2017

Proteins can readily assemble into rigid, crystalline and functional structures such as viral capsids and bacterial compartments. Despite ongoing advances, it is still a fundamental challenge to design and synthesize protein-mimetic molecules to form crystalline structures. Here we report the lattice self-assembly of cyclodextrin complexes into a variety of capsid-like structures such as lamellae, helical tubes and hollow rhombic dodecahedra. The dodecahedral morphology has not hitherto been observed in self-assembly systems. The tubes can spontaneously encapsulate colloidal particles and liposomes. The dodecahedra and tubes are respectively comparable to and much larger than the largest known virus. In particular, the resemblance to protein assemblies is not limited to morphology but extends to structural rigidity and crystallinity—a well-defined, 2D rhombic lattice of molecular arrangement is strikingly universal for all the observed structures. We propose a simple design rule for the current lattice self-assembly, potentially opening doors for new protein-mimetic materials.
Embryonic development of selectively vulnerable neurons in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Oliveira Miguel A. P. , Balling Rudi , Smidt Marten P. , Fleming Ronan M. T.
Published: June 2017

A specific set of brainstem nuclei are susceptible to degeneration in Parkinson’s disease. We hypothesise that neuronal vulnerability reflects shared phenotypic characteristics that confer selective vulnerability to degeneration. Neuronal phenotypic specification is mainly the cumulative result of a transcriptional regulatory program that is active during the development. By manual curation of the developmental biology literature, we comprehensively reconstructed an anatomically resolved cellular developmental lineage for the adult neurons in five brainstem regions that are selectively vulnerable to degeneration in prodromal or early Parkinson’s disease. We synthesised the literature on transcription factors that are required to be active, or required to be inactive, in the development of each of these five brainstem regions, and at least two differentially vulnerable nuclei within each region. Certain transcription factors, e.g., Ascl1 and Lmx1b, seem to be required for specification of many brainstem regions that are susceptible to degeneration in early Parkinson’s disease. Some transcription factors can even distinguish between differentially vulnerable nuclei within the same brain region, e.g., Pitx3 is required for specification of the substantia nigra pars compacta, but not the ventral tegmental area. We do not suggest that Parkinson’s disease is a developmental disorder. In contrast, we consider identification of shared developmental trajectories as part of a broader effort to identify the molecular mechanisms that underlie the phenotypic features that are shared by selectively vulnerable neurons. Systematic in vivo assessment of fate determining transcription factors should be completed for all neuronal populations vulnerable to degeneration in early Parkinson’s disease.
DMAb inoculation of synthetic cross reactive antibodies protects against lethal influenza A and B infections
Authors: Elliott Sarah T. C. , Kallewaard Nicole L. , Benjamin Ebony , Wachter-Rosati Leslie , McAuliffe Josephine M. , Patel Ami , Smith Trevor R. F. , Schultheis Katherine , Park Daniel H. , Flingai Seleeke , Wise Megan C. , Mendoza Janess , Ramos Stephanie , Broderick Kate E. , Yan Jian , Humeau Laurent M. , Sardesai Niranjan Y. , Muthumani Kar , Zhu Qing , Weiner David B.
Published: June 2017

Influenza virus remains a significant public health threat despite innovative vaccines and antiviral drugs. A major limitation to current vaccinations and therapies against influenza virus is pathogenic diversity generated by shift and drift. A simple, cost-effective passive immunization strategy via in vivo production of cross-protective antibody molecules may augment existing vaccines and antiviral drugs in seasonal and pandemic outbreaks. We engineered synthetic plasmid DNA to encode two novel and broadly cross-protective monoclonal antibodies targeting influenza A and B. We utilized enhanced in vivo delivery of these plasmid DNA-encoded monoclonal antibody (DMAb) constructs and show that this strategy induces robust levels of functional antibodies directed against influenza A and B viruses in mouse sera. Mice receiving a single inoculation with anti-influenza A DMAb survive lethal Group 1 H1 and Group 2 H3 influenza A challenges, while inoculation with anti-influenza B DMAb yields protection against lethal Victoria and Yamagata lineage influenza B morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, these two DMAbs can be delivered coordinately resulting in exceptionally broad protection against both influenza A and B. We demonstrate this protection is similar to that achieved by conventional protein antibody delivery. DMAbs warrant further investigation as a novel immune therapy platform with distinct advantages for sustained immunoprophylaxis against influenza.
Mapping the Glyco-Gold Nanoparticles of Different Shapes Toxicity, Biodistribution and Sequestration in Adult Zebrafish
Authors: Sangabathuni Sivakoti , Murthy Raghavendra Vasudeva , Chaudhary Preeti Madhukar , Subramani Balamurugan , Toraskar Suraj , Kikkeri Raghavendra
Published: June 2017

Glyconanotechnology offers a broad range of applications across basic and translation research. Despite the tremendous progress in glyco-nanomaterials, there is still a huge gap between the basic research and therapeutic applications of these molecules. It has been reported that complexity and the synthetic challenges in glycans synthesis, the cost of the high order in vivo models and large amount of sample consumptions limited the effort to translate the glyco-nanomaterials into clinical applications. In this regards, several promising simple animal models for preliminary, quick analysis of the nanomaterials activities has been proposed. Herein, we have studied a systematic evaluation of the toxicity, biodistribution of fluorescently tagged PEG and mannose-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of three different shapes (sphere, rod, and star) in the adult zebrafish model, which could accelerate and provide preliminary results for further experiments in the higher order animal system. ICP-MS analysis and confocal images of various zebrafish organs revealed that rod-AuNPs exhibited the fast uptake. While, star-AuNPs displayed prolong sequestration, demonstrating its potential therapeutic efficacy in drug delivery.
Intracellular targeting of annexin A2 inhibits tumor cell adhesion, migration, and in vivo grafting
Authors: Staquicini Daniela I. , Rangel Roberto , Guzman-Rojas Liliana , Staquicini Fernanda I. , Dobroff Andrey S. , Tarleton Christy A. , Ozbun Michelle A. , Kolonin Mikhail G. , Gelovani Juri G. , Marchiò Serena , Sidman Richard L. , Hajjar Katherine A. , Arap Wadih , Pasqualini Renata
Published: June 2017

Cytoskeletal-associated proteins play an active role in coordinating the adhesion and migration machinery in cancer progression. To identify functional protein networks and potential inhibitors, we screened an internalizing phage (iPhage) display library in tumor cells, and selected LGRFYAASG as a cytosol-targeting peptide. By affinity purification and mass spectrometry, intracellular annexin A2 was identified as the corresponding binding protein. Consistently, annexin A2 and a cell-internalizing, penetratin-fused version of the selected peptide (LGRFYAASG-pen) co-localized and specifically accumulated in the cytoplasm at the cell edges and cell-cell contacts. Functionally, tumor cells incubated with LGRFYAASG-pen showed disruption of filamentous actin, focal adhesions and caveolae-mediated membrane trafficking, resulting in impaired cell adhesion and migration in vitro. These effects were paralleled by a decrease in the phosphorylation of both focal adhesion kinase (Fak) and protein kinase B (Akt). Likewise, tumor cells pretreated with LGRFYAASG-pen exhibited an impaired capacity to colonize the lungs in vivo in several mouse models. Together, our findings demonstrate an unrecognized functional link between intracellular annexin A2 and tumor cell adhesion, migration and in vivo grafting. Moreover, this work uncovers a new peptide motif that binds to and inhibits intracellular annexin A2 as a candidate therapeutic lead for potential translation into clinical applications.
Network model predicts that CatSper is the main Ca2+ channel in the regulation of sea urchin sperm motility
Authors: Espinal-Enríquez Jesús , Priego-Espinosa Daniel Alejandro , Darszon Alberto , Beltrán Carmen , Martínez-Mekler Gustavo
Published: June 2017

Spermatozoa sea urchin swimming behaviour is regulated by small peptides from the egg outer envelope. Speract, such a peptide, after binding to its receptor in Strongylocentrotus purpuratus sperm flagella, triggers a signaling pathway that culminates with a train of intracellular calcium oscillations, correlated with changes in sperm swimming pattern. This pathway has been widely studied but not fully characterized. Recent work on Arbacia punctulata sea urchin spermatozoa has documented the presence of the Ca2+ CatSper channel in their flagella and its involvement in chemotaxis. However, if other calcium channels participate in chemotaxis remains unclear. Here, based on an experimentally-backed logical network model, we conclude that CatSper is fundamental in the S. purpuratus speract-activated sea urchin sperm signaling cascade, although other Ca2+ channels could still be relevant. We also present for the first time experimental corroboration of its active presence in S. purpuratus sperm flagella. We argue, prompted by in silico knock-out calculations, that CatSper is the main generator of calcium oscillations in the signaling pathway and that other calcium channels, if present, have a complementary role. The approach adopted here allows us to unveil processes, which are hard to detect exclusively by experimental procedures.
A Microfluidic Chip for Detecting Cholangiocarcinoma Cells in Human Bile
Authors: Hung Lien-Yu , Chiang Nai-Jung , Tsai Wei-Chun , Fu Chien-Yu , Wang Yu-Chun , Shan Yan-Shen , Lee Gwo-Bin
Published: June 2017

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a biliary tract malignancy, accounts for 20% of all liver cancers. There are several existing methods for diagnosis of CCA, though they are generally expensive, laborious, and suffer from low detection rates. Herein we first developed a means of partially purifying human bile for consequent injection into a microfluidic chip. Then, the novel microfluidic system, which featured 1) a cell capture module, 2) an immunofluorescence (IF) staining module featuring two CCA-specific biomarkers, and 3) an optical detection module for visualization of antibody probes bound to these CCA marker proteins, was used to detect bile duct cancer cells within partially purified bile samples. As a proof of concept, CCA cells were successfully captured and identified from CCA cell cultures, blood samples inoculated with CCA cells, and clinical bile specimens. In 7.5 ml of bile, this system could detect >2, 0, and 1 positive cells in advanced stage patients, healthy patients, and chemotherapy-treated patients, respectively. In conclusion, our microfluidic system could be a promising tool for detection of cancer cells in bile, even at the earliest stages of CCA when cancer cells are at low densities relative to the total population of epithelial cells.
Novel loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay with a universal QProbe can detect SNPs determining races in plant pathogenic fungi
Authors: Ayukawa Yu , Hanyuda Saeri , Fujita Naoko , Komatsu Ken , Arie Tsutomu
Published: June 2017

Tomato wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) is grouped into three races based on their pathogenicity to different host cultivars. Rapid detection and discrimination of Fol races in field soils is important to prevent tomato wilt disease. Although five types of point mutations in secreted in xylem 3 (SIX3) gene, which are characteristic of race 3, have been reported as a molecular marker for the race, detection of these point mutations is laborious. The aim of this study is to develop a rapid and accurate method for the detection of point mutations in SIX3 of Fol. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) of SIX3 gene with the universal QProbe as well as two joint DNAs followed by annealing curve analysis allowed us to specifically detect Fol and discriminate race 3 among other races in about one hour. Our developed method is applicable for detection of races of other plant pathogenic fungi as well as their pesticide-resistant mutants that arise through point mutations in a particular gene.
Identification of Jak-STAT signaling involvement in sarcoidosis severity via a novel microRNA-regulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell gene signature
Authors: Zhou Tong , Casanova Nancy , Pouladi Nima , Wang Ting , Lussier Yves , Knox Kenneth S. , Garcia Joe G. N.
Published: June 2017

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous lung disorder of unknown cause. The majority of individuals with sarcoidosis spontaneously achieve full remission (uncomplicated sarcoidosis), however, ~20% of sarcoidosis-affected individuals experience progressive lung disease or cardiac and nervous system involvement (complicated sarcoidosis). We investigated peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) microRNA and protein-coding gene expression data from healthy controls and patients with uncomplicated or complicated sarcoidosis. We identified 46 microRNAs and 1,559 genes that were differentially expressed across a continuum of sarcoidosis severity (healthy control → uncomplicated sarcoidosis → complicated sarcoidosis). A total of 19 microRNA-mRNA regulatory pairs were identified within these deregulated microRNAs and mRNAs, which consisted of 17 unique protein-coding genes yielding a 17-gene signature. Pathway analysis of the 17-gene signature revealed Jak-STAT signaling pathway as the most significantly represented pathway. A severity score was assigned to each patient based on the expression of the 17-gene signature and a significant increasing trend in the severity score was observed from healthy control, to uncomplicated sarcoidosis, and finally to complicated sarcoidosis. In addition, this microRNA-regulated gene signature differentiates sarcoidosis patients from healthy controls in independent validation cohorts. Our study suggests that PBMC gene expression is useful in diagnosis of sarcoidosis.
A high resolution melting method for the molecular identification of the potentially toxic diatom Pseudo-nitzschia spp. in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Pugliese Laura , Casabianca Silvia , Perini Federico , Andreoni Francesca , Penna Antonella
Published: June 2017

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a high resolution melting (HRM) method for the rapid, accurate identification of the various harmful diatom Pseudo-nitzschia species in marine environments. Pseudo-nitzschia has a worldwide distribution and some species are toxic, producing the potent domoic acid toxin, which poses a threat to both human and animal health. Hence, it is important to identify toxic Pseudo-nitzschia species. A pair of primers targeting the LSU rDNA of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia was designed for the development of the assay and its specificity was validated using 22 control DNAs of the P. calliantha, P. delicatissima/P. arenysensis complex and P. pungens. The post-PCR HRM assay was applied to numerous unidentified Pseudo-nitzschia strains isolated from the northwestern Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea), and it was able to detect and discriminate three distinct Pseudo-nitzschia taxa from unidentified samples. Moreover, the species-specific identification of Pseudo-nitzschia isolates by the HRM assay was consistent with phylogenetic analyses. The HRM assay was specific, robust and rapid when applied to high numbers of cultured samples in order to taxonomically identify Pseudo-nitzschia isolates recovered from environmental samples.
Clinical Features of Congenital and Developmental Cataract in East China: A Five-year Retrospective Review
Authors: Zhu Xiangjia , Du Yu , He Wenwen , Sun Ting , Zhang Yinglei , Chang Ruiqi , Zhang Keke , Lu Yi
Published: June 2017

Congenital/developmental cataract is a significant cause of blindness in children worldwide. Full knowledge of clinical features is essential for early diagnosis and proper treatment to prevent irreversible visual impairment. We conducted a retrospective chart review on 520 congenital/developmental cataract cases based on a five-year clinical data from Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Clinical features including age at the surgery, chief complaints, interval between initial identification of cataract-related manifestations and surgery, etc. were summarized. 56.3% of children were bilateral. The age at surgery ranged from 0.25 to 17.4 years, only 9.2% receiving surgery below 1 year. Interval between initial identification of manifestations and surgery ranged from 2 days to 17 years. Concomitant congenital abnormalities were present in 67 patients, with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous and congenital heart disease as the most frequent ocular and systemic disorders. Strabismus and nystagmus were seen in 20.6% and 11.9% of patients. In bilateral cataract patients with strabismus, axial lengths of esotropia-affected eyes were statistically shorter than exotropia-affected eyes. These findings provide information on characteristics of congenital/developmental cataract in China and may assist in achievement of comprehensive treating strategies in these cases.
Single microtubules and small networks become significantly stiffer on short time-scales upon mechanical stimulation
Authors: Koch Matthias D. , Schneider Natalie , Nick Peter , Rohrbach Alexander
Published: June 2017

The transfer of mechanical signals through cells is a complex phenomenon. To uncover a new mechanotransduction pathway, we study the frequency-dependent transport of mechanical stimuli by single microtubules and small networks in a bottom-up approach using optically trapped beads as anchor points. We interconnected microtubules to linear and triangular geometries to perform micro-rheology by defined oscillations of the beads relative to each other. We found a substantial stiffening of single filaments above a characteristic transition frequency of 1–30 Hz depending on the filament’s molecular composition. Below this frequency, filament elasticity only depends on its contour and persistence length. Interestingly, this elastic behavior is transferable to small networks, where we found the surprising effect that linear two filament connections act as transistor-like, angle dependent momentum filters, whereas triangular networks act as stabilizing elements. These observations implicate that cells can tune mechanical signals by temporal and spatial filtering stronger and more flexibly than expected.
Towards conductive textiles: coating polymeric fibres with graphene
Authors: Neves Ana I. S. , Rodrigues Daniela P. , De Sanctis Adolfo , Alonso Elias Torres , Pereira Maria S. , Amaral Vitor S. , Melo Luis V. , Russo Saverio , de Schrijver Isabel , Alves Helena , Craciun Monica F.
Published: June 2017

Conducting fibres are essential to the development of e-textiles. We demonstrate a method to make common insulating textile fibres conductive, by coating them with graphene. The resulting fibres display sheet resistance values as low as 600 Ωsq−1, demonstrating that the high conductivity of graphene is not lost when transferred to textile fibres. An extensive microscopic study of the surface of graphene-coated fibres is presented. We show that this method can be employed to textile fibres of different materials, sizes and shapes, and to different types of graphene. These graphene-based conductive fibres can be used as a platform to build integrated electronic devices directly in textiles.
Automatic inhibitory function in the human somatosensory and motor cortices: An MEG-MRS study
Authors: Cheng Chia-Hsiung , Tsai Shang-Yueh , Liu Chia-Yih , Niddam David M.
Published: June 2017

While the automatic inhibitory function of the human cerebral cortex has been extensively investigated by means of electrophysiological recordings, the corresponding modulating neurochemical mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to examine whether the primary somatosensory (SI) and primary motor cortical (MI) inhibitory function is associated with endogenous GABA levels. Eighteen young participants received paired-pulse and single-pulse electrical stimulation to the median nerve during magnetoencephalographic recordings. The SI sensory gating (SG), considered as an automatic inhibitory ability, was measured as the amplitude ratio of Stimulus 2 over Stimulus 1, in the paired-pulse paradigm. In addition, stimulus-induced beta activity, considered to originate from MI and also to be related to inhibitory function, was estimated using the single-pulse paradigm. The GABA+ concentration of the sensorimotor cortex was acquired from each subject by using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). A lower SG ratio in SI was significantly associated with an increased beta power in MI. More importantly, the beta rebound power, but not SI SG ratio, was positively correlated with GABA+ concentration. Our findings show a tight functional relationship between SI and MI during processing of automatic inhibition. GABA+ levels appear to be more closely related to the automatic inhibitory function of MI than SI.
Self-diploidization of human haploid parthenogenetic embryos through the Rho pathway regulates endomitosis and failed cytokinesis
Authors: Leng Lizhi , Ouyang Qi , Kong Xiangyi , Gong Fei , Lu Changfu , Zhao Lei , Shi Yun , Cheng Dehua , Hu Liang , Lu Guangxiu , Lin Ge
Published: June 2017

A diploid genome is necessary for normal mammalian development, thus haploid parthenogenetic embryos undergo frequent self-diploidization during preimplantation development; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, time-lapse recording revealed that human haploid parthenotes (HPs) undergo self-diploidization via failed cytokinesis (FC) and endomitosis (EM). The frequencies of FC/EM were significantly higher in HPs than in normal fertilized embryos (26.3% vs. 1.6%, P < 0.01; 19.7% vs. 0, P < 0.01), and above 90% of FC/EM occurred at the first cell cycle in HPs. Fluorescent in situ hybridization of chromosome 16,18 and X in HPs identified diploid recovery after the appearance of FC/EM, and FC/EM HPs showed improved blastocyst formation compared with non-FC/EM HPs (18.8% and 40.0% vs. 15.4%, P > 0.05). In 66.7% of the 1-cell stage HPs, furrow ingression was not observed during the time for normal cleavage, and both immunostaining and gene expression analysis of 1-cell stage HPs revealed the absence or down-regulation of several key genes of the Rho pathway, which regulates cytomitosis. Our results suggested that the major mechanism for self-diploidization is Rho pathway inhibition leading to FC/EM in the first cell cycle, and fine-tuning of this signalling pathway may help to generate stable haploid embryos for stem cell biology studies.
Towards on-site analysis of complex matrices by solid-phase microextraction-transmission mode coupled to a portable mass spectrometer via direct analysis in real time
Authors: Gómez-Ríos Germán Augusto , Vasiljevic Tijana , Gionfriddo Emanuela , Yu Miao , Pawliszyn Janusz
Published: June 2017

On-site analysis of complex matrices by SPME-TM coupled to a portable mass spectrometer via DART.
Tubulogenesis of co-cultured human iPS-derived endothelial cells and human mesenchymal stem cells in fibrin and gelatin methacrylate gels
Authors: Calderon G. A. , Thai P. , Hsu C. W. , Grigoryan B. , Gibson S. M. , Dickinson M. E. , Miller J. S.
Published: June 2017

Here, we investigate the tubulogenic potential of commercially-sourced iPS-ECs with and without supporting commercially-sourced hMSCs within 3D natural fibrin or semi-synthetic gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogels.
Design, preparation and performance of a novel drug-eluting stent with multiple layer coatings
Authors: Hu Tingzhang , Lin Song , Du Ruolin , Fu Meiling , Rao Qiong , Yin Tieying , Huang Yan , Wang Guixue
Published: June 2017

A novel drug-eluting stent with multiple layer coatings could effectively inhibit intimal hyperplasia of rabbit carotid arteries after implantation.
Chemically individual armoured bioreporter bacteria used for the in vivo sensing of ultra-trace toxic metal ions
Authors: Zhang Zhijun , Ju Enguo , Bing Wei , Wang Zhenzhen , Ren Jinsong , Qu Xiaogang
Published: June 2017

A chemically engineered mesoporous silica armour is developed for simultaneously improving bioreporter bacterial vitality and shielding infectivity.
Cobalt carbonate hydroxide superstructures for oxygen evolution reactions
Authors: Zhang Simin , Ni Bing , Li Haoyi , Lin Haifeng , Zhu Huihui , Wang Haiqing , Wang Xun
Published: June 2017

A novel 3D superstructure of cobalt hydroxide carbonate with excellent electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction performance has been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method.
Nanoporous carbon leading to the high performance of a Na3V2O2(PO4)2F@carbon/graphene cathode in a sodium ion battery
Authors: Jin Hongyun , Liu Min , Uchaker Evan , Dong Jie , Zhang Qifeng , Hou Shuen , Li Jiangyu , Cao Guozhong
Published: June 2017

The Na3V2O2(PO4)2F/graphene sandwich cathode has attracted great attention as a potential candidate for sodium-ion batteries in view of its high capacity and good cycling ability.
Enhanced steady-state dissolution flux in reactive convective dissolution
Authors: Loodts V. , Knaepen B. , Rongy L. , De Wit A.
Published: June 2017

Chemical reactions can enhance the dissolution flux during the convective dissolution of one phase into a fluid host phase.
On the origin of the driving force in the Marangoni propelled gas bubble trapping mechanism
Authors: Miniewicz A. , Quintard C. , Orlikowska H. , Bartkiewicz S.
Published: June 2017

Particle trajectories around gas bubbles due to Marangoni induced flows of liquid.
Efficient multicolor tunability of ultrasmall ternary-doped LaF3 nanoparticles: energy conversion and magnetic behavior
Authors: Shrivastava Navadeep , Khan L. U. , Vargas J. M. , Ospina Carlos , Coaquira J. A. Q. , Zoppellaro Giorgio , Brito H. F. , Javed Yasir , Shukla D. K. , Felinto M. C. F. C. , Sharma Surender K.
Published: June 2017

Visible color tunability in ultrasmall LaF3:xCe3+,xGd3+,yEu3+ (x = 5; y = 1, 5, 10, and 15 mol%) NPs depending on the ratio Eu2+/Eu3+.
Tracking the dissolution of calcite single crystals in acid waters: a simple method for measuring fast surface kinetics
Authors: Adobes-Vidal Maria , Pearce Harriet , Unwin Patrick R.
Published: June 2017

A combined optical microscopy-finite element method modeling approach reveals the kinetics of proton attack on calcite.
Modeling of movement of liquid metal droplets driven by an electric field
Authors: Wang M. F. , Jin M. J. , Jin X. J. , Zuo S. G.
Published: June 2017

We systematically investigate the factors during movement through experiment and innovative modeling, which combine pertinent forces.