bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly sensitive method for the quantification of trans‐linolenic acid isomers in trilinolenin of edible oils using an ionic liquid capillary column
Authors: Guo Qin , Jiang Fan , Jin Jing , Li Qingpeng , Wang Feng , Wang Qiang , Ha Yiming
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

The polarities of linolenic acid isomers are very similar, and only a few studies to date have attempted to separate α‐linolenic acid (ALA) isomers completely. The aim of this study was to fill this gap by developing and validating an accurate method for the analysis of ALA isomers in trilinolenin at 200, 220 and 240 °C using a gas chromatograph–flame ionization detector equipped with an SLB‐IL111 capillary column.

RESULTS

Results showed that eight ALA isomer standards were separated effectively using these optimized gas chromatographic conditions. The coefficient of determination was r2 > 0.9994 in the linear range of each ALA isomer. The obtained limits of detection and limits of quantification of the ALA isomers were 0.02–0.08 ppm and 0.05–0.22 ppm, respectively. A high degree of reproducibility and percent recoveries between 96.2% and 106.5%, with coefficients of variation ranging from 0.82% to 0.97%, were achieved.

CONCLUSION

The developed method has been successfully applied to the analysis of ALA isomers in heated pure trilinolenin as well as to trilinolenin in various edible oils, and the TALA isomerization pathways in heated trilinolenin were verified. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Clinical and prognostic significance of eosinophilia and inv(16)/t(16;16) in pediatric acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AML‐M4)
Authors: Klein Kim , de Haas Valérie , Bank Ingrid E.M. , Beverloo H. Berna , Zwaan C. Michel , Kaspers Gertjan L.
Published: March 2017

Background

The cytogenetic aberrations inv(16)(p13.1q22)/t(16;16)(p13.1;q22), frequently detected in acute myelomonocytic leukemia with eosinophilia (FAB type M4eo), are generally considered a prognostically favorable subgroup. M4eo comprises a distinct morphology compared to M4 without eosinophilia (M4eo‐) and therefore may be indicative for a different pathogenesis.

Procedures

Morphology and cytogenetic/molecular analyses of a Dutch cohort of pediatric acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AML‐M4) patients were performed and studied in order to analyze the association between the presence of eosinophilia morphology (M4eo+), inv(16)/t(16;16) (inv(16)+), clinical features, and outcome.

Results

Of the 119 included patients with available combined morphological and cytogenetic results, 60% had M4eo‐ without inv(16) (inv(16)‐), 10% had M4eo‐/inv(16)+, 13% had M4eo+/inv(16)‐, and 17% had M4eo+/inv(16)+. M4eo+ was significantly associated with the presence of inv(16)/t(16;16) (P < 0.001). Patients with M4eo+ had no significantly superior outcome compared with patients with M4eo‐, whereas patients with inv(16)+ had significantly superior probabilities of event‐free survival and probabilities of overall survival compared with patients without inv(16)‐. Patients with M4eo+/inv(16)+ had no significantly better outcome than those with M4eo‐/inv(16)+.

Conclusion

The prognostically favorable impact of distinct morphology with eosinophilia probably relies on its association with inv(16)/t(16;16). Simultaneous presence of both eosinophilia and inv(16) was not associated with superior outcome in our study. These results may be relevant for risk‐group classification and risk‐group adapted treatment and underline the importance of accurate cytogenetic analysis.
Enhanced photocatalytic oxidation and biodegradation of polyethylene films with PMMA grafted TiO2 as pro‐oxidant additives for plastic mulch application
Authors: Yang Wei , Song Shuangshuang , Zhang Chaoqun , Liang Wenyao , Dong Xianming , Luo Ying , Cai Xin
Published: March 2017

In this work, a series of novel poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) grafted TiO2 (TiO2‐g‐PMMA) nanoparticles were prepared and used as pro‐oxidant additives for production of biodegradable low density polyethylene composites (TiO2‐g‐PMMA/LDPE). The effect of these additives with various grafting percentages of PMMA on the photocatalytic oxidation of TiO2‐g‐PMMA/LDPE under ultraviolet light irradiation and the biodegradation under fungal strains were studied. The changes of weight loss, carbonyl index, molecular weight, mechanical properties of TiO2‐g‐PMMA/LDPE were monitored with time and compared with those of pure polyethylene and polyethylene with as‐received TiO2 as pro‐oxidant additives. It is found the grafting of PMMA on the surface of TiO2 nanoparticle improved the dispersion and compatibility of the additives in the matrix, resulting in enhanced photocatalytic oxidation and biodegradation of polyethylene composites. This study would provide a new perspective and strategy to develop controllable and biodegradable polymeric materials for plastic mulch application. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3409–3417, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Identification of salivary protein biomarkers for orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption
Authors: Kaczor‐Urbanowicz Karolina Elżbieta , Deutsch Omer , Zaks Batia , Krief Guy , Chaushu Stella , Palmon Aaron
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR) is one of the most prevalent and unavoidable consequence of orthodontic tooth movement. The aim of this study was to discover potential diagnostic protein biomarkers for detection of OIIRR in whole saliva (WS).

Material and methods

Unstimulated WS was collected from 72 subjects: 48 OIIRR patients and 24 untreated, generally healthy, age and gender matched controls. Radiographic assessment of periapical x‐rays of four upper incisors taken before and 9 months after bonding was done. High‐abundance proteins were depleted followed by two‐dimensional‐gel‐electrophoresis and quantitative mass spectrometry (qMS). Finally, to initially validate qMS results, Western blotting was performed.

Results

qMS revealed differentially expressed proteins in the moderate‐to‐severe OIIRR group, which have never been found in WS before. Additionally, in the moderate‐to‐severe young OIIRR group, the pathogenetic mechanisms related to actin cytoskeleton regulation and Fc gamma R‐ mediated phagocytosis were detected, while in adults‐ to focal adhesion. Preliminary validation by Western blotting of fetuin‐A and p21‐ARC indicated expression profile trends similar to those identified by qMS.

Conclusion

The significance of WS novel proteomic methodologies is clearly demonstrated for detecting new OIIRR biomarkers as well as for unveiling possible novel pathogenetic mechanisms in both young and adult patients.
A controllable multi‐replica routing approach for opportunistic networks
Authors: Zhao Ruonan , Wang Xiaoming , Lin Yaguang , Yang Yunhui , Hui Tiantian , Zhang Lichen
Published: March 2017

Opportunistic networks take full advantage of opportunistic encounters among nodes to transfer packets. According to the characteristics of the limited energy of nodes and the frequent link variation in opportunistic networks, we introduce a novel routing metric that comprehensively takes into consideration the energy consumption of nodes, the probability of relay nodes meeting their destination, the time‐to‐live of the packet, and the approximate number of packet copies. Based on this metric, we propose a controllable multi‐replica routing approach in which a single‐branch diffusion strategy is applied to achieve the goal of dynamically controlling the number of replicas of packets. Our simulation results show that the proposed approach can avoid excessive load on individual nodes, guarantee the energy fairness among nodes, prolong the network lifetime, and effectively improve the delivery ratio of packets. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Person-Centred Approach
Authors: Louise Tudor , Keemar Keemar , Keith Tudor , Joanna Valentine , Mike Worrall
Published: March 2017

In this essential text, the highly regarded Temenos team present a new introduction to the person-centred approach for the 21st century. Giving a broad and unbiased account, they illustrate how the approach has developed since the death of Carl Rogers and explore how the person-centred philosophy can be an effective working model for both counselling and psychotherapy and for understanding, living and working in a complex contemporary world. The Person-Centred Approach is essential reading for trainees, whether new to counselling or more experienced, and is a vital resource for practitioners wishing to keep at the forefront of the latest developments in the field.
Pre-launch Prediction of Market Performance for Short Lifecycle Products Using Online Community Data
Authors: Divakaran Pradeep Kumar Ponnamma , Palmer Adrian , Søndergaard Helle Alsted , Matkovskyy Roman
Published: March 2017

Prediction of sales for short life-cycle products can be problematic. Generic predictive models based on past launches may provide only crude historic data which are unsuited for distinctive, innovative products. This paper investigates the role of online communities in providing pre-launch data to predict post-launch sales. We argue that levels of awareness, word-of-mouth, expectations, and adoption intention prevailing within an online community for an upcoming product have an independent direct effect on the product's future sales. Additionally, we test the complementarity effect of these community variables by introducing a higher order construct called Pre-release Community Buzz, to demonstrate the incremental explanatory power of using pre-launch community variables to predict post-launch sales. Data for community variables were collected from a movie-based online community, and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). We found strong support for both direct and complementarity effects of community variables in predicting a movie's opening week sales. We also found that community variables mediate the effects of generic predictor variables such as MPAA ratings, star cast, production budget and competition on opening week sales. Tests for robustness demonstrated the value of community variables. Models which included community variables had higher predictive power than those without. Implications for theory and practice are presented.
‘Have we any motherJuliana’samong us?’: The multiple identities of Julian of Norwich in Restoration England
Authors: Temple Liam
Published: March 2017

The true identity of the fourteenth-century anchoress Julian of Norwich has been lost to history. Yet in the seventeenth century Catholic and Protestant polemicists created different ‘Julians’ to construct and contrast their own confessional positions. This article traces the different identities prescribed to Julian and argues that they allow us fresh insight into some of the most prevalent religious and political issues of Restoration England. It begins by tracing the positive reception of Julian’s theology among the Benedictine nuns of Paris and Cambrai, including the role of Augustine Baker in editing Julian’s text. It then explores how the Benedictine Serenus Cressy and the Anglican Edward Stillingfleet created different identities for Julian in their ongoing polemical battles in the Restoration period. For Cressy, Julian was proof of the strength of Catholic devotional and spiritual traditions, while Stillingfleet believed she was evidence of the religious melancholy encouraged by monasticism. By exploring these identities, this article offers new perspective on issues of Catholic loyalty, enthusiasm, sectarianism and doctrinal authority.
The Aphasia Action, Success, and Knowledge Programme: Results from an Australian Phase I Trial of a Speech-Pathology-Led Intervention for People with Aphasia Early Post Stroke
Authors: Ryan Brooke , Hudson Kyla , Worrall Linda , Simmons-Mackie Nina , Thomas Emma , Finch Emma , Clark Kathy , Lethlean Jennifer
Published: March 2017

Background: Speech pathologists work to optimise communication and reduce the emotional and social impact of communication disability in patients with aphasia but need evidence-based interventions to effectively do so.

Objective: This phase 1 study aims to evaluate an Australian speech-pathology-led intervention called the Aphasia Action, Success, and Knowledge (Aphasia ASK) programme for patients with aphasia early post stroke.

Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was utilised. The intervention included up to six individual face-to-face sessions with seven participants with aphasia and their nominated family member(s). Quantitative outcomes assessing mood, quality of life, and communication confidence were conducted for the participants with aphasia. Follow-up interviews were conducted with both participants with aphasia and family members to determine their perceptions of the programme.

Results: Significant improvements were found in communication confidence and mood after treatment and the gains were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Participants with aphasia and their family members reported a good level of satisfaction with the programme.

Conclusions: Findings suggest the Aphasia ASK programme is a suitable intervention with positive initial outcomes for people with aphasia. A larger scale evaluation with a greater variety of participants is now required. An Australian cluster randomised control trial is planned.
SUBSETS OF VERTICES GIVE MORITA EQUIVALENCES OF LEAVITT PATH ALGEBRAS
Authors: CLARK LISA ORLOFF , AN HUEF ASTRID , LUITEN-APIRANA PAREORANGA
Published: March 2017

We show that every subset of vertices of a directed graph$E$gives a Morita equivalence between a subalgebra and an ideal of the associated Leavitt path algebra. We use this observation to prove an algebraic version of a theorem of Crisp and Gow: certain subgraphs of$E$can be contracted to a new graph$G$such that the Leavitt path algebras of$E$and$G$are Morita equivalent. We provide examples to illustrate how desingularising a graph, and in- or out-delaying of a graph, all fit into this setting.
Beyond Institutional Design: Explaining the Performance of International Organizations
Authors: Lall Ranjit
Published: March 2017

International organizations (IOs) have long been a central focus of scholarship in international relations, yet we know remarkably little about their performance. This article offers an explanation for differences in the performance of IOs and tests it using the first quantitative data set on the topic. I argue that the primary obstacle to effective institutional performance is not deviant behavior by IO officials—as conventional “rogue-agency” analyses suggest—but the propensity of states to use IOs to promote narrow national interests rather than broader organizational objectives. IOs that enjoy policy autonomy vis-à-vis states will thus exhibit higher levels of performance. However, in the international context policy autonomy cannot be guaranteed by institutional design. Instead, it is a function of (1) the existence of (certain types of) institutionalized alliances between IOs and actors above and below the state; and (2) the technical complexity of IO activities. I provide empirical evidence for the argument by constructing and analyzing a cross-sectional data set on IO performance—based in part on a new wave of official government evaluations of IOs and in part on an original survey of IO staff—and conducting a comparative case study in the realm of global food security.
Plasma turbulence at ion scales: a comparison between particle in cell and Eulerian hybrid-kinetic approaches
Authors: Cerri S. S. , Franci L. , Califano F. , Landi S. , Hellinger P.
Published: March 2017

Kinetic-range turbulence in magnetized plasmas and, in particular, in the context of solar wind turbulence has been extensively investigated over the past decades via numerical simulations. Among others, one of the widely adopted reduced plasma models is the so-called hybrid-kinetic model, where the ions are fully kinetic and the electrons are treated as a neutralizing (inertial or massless) fluid. Within the same model, different numerical methods and/or approaches to turbulence development have been employed. In the present work, we present a comparison between two-dimensional hybrid-kinetic simulations of plasma turbulence obtained with two complementary approaches spanning approximately two decades in wavenumber – from the magnetohydrodynamics inertial range to scales well below the ion gyroradius – with a state-of-the-art accuracy. One approach employs hybrid particle-in-cell simulations of freely decaying Alfvénic turbulence, whereas the other consists of Eulerian hybrid Vlasov–Maxwell simulations of turbulence continuously driven with partially compressible large-scale fluctuations. Despite the completely different initialization and injection/drive at large scales, the same properties of turbulent fluctuations at $k_{\bot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{i}\gtrsim 1$ are observed, where $k_{\bot }$ is the fluctuations’ wavenumber perpendicular to the background magnetic field and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{i}$ is the ion Larmor radius. The system indeed self-consistently ‘reprocesses’ the turbulent fluctuations while they are cascading towards smaller and smaller scales, in a way which actually depends on the plasma beta parameter ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}$ is the ratio between the thermal and the magnetic pressures). Small-scale turbulence has been found to be mainly populated by kinetic Alfvén wave (KAW) fluctuations for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}\geqslant 1$, whereas KAW fluctuations are only sub-dominant for low-$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}$.
Household dietary diversity, vitamin A consumption and food security in rural Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Schwei Rebecca J , Tesfay Haile , Asfaw Frezer , Jogo Wellington , Busse Heidi
Published: March 2017

Objective

To describe: household dietary diversity across four zones in Ethiopia; the relationship between household dietary diversity and consumption of vitamin A-rich foods; and the relationship between household dietary diversity and food security status.

Design

This was a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected using structured questionnaires in the local language. Household dietary diversity scores measured types of foods households consumed, and households were classified by food security status using a modified version of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. An ordinal logistics regression model was created to assess the relationship between three tiers of dietary diversity (low, medium and high) and food security while controlling for agricultural zone, educational variables and household characteristics.

Setting

Rural households in Tigray, Ethiopia.

Subjects

Three hundred households in Tigray, Ethiopia, were interviewed.

Results

Of the households, 23, 47 and 30 % had low, medium and high dietary diversity, respectively. Among households with high dietary diversity, eggs and fruit were the most common foods added to the diet. In the fully adjusted model, participants who reported being food secure had 1·8 increased odds of greater dietary diversity (95 % CI 1·0, 3·2) compared with participants who were food insecure.

Conclusions

Food security was positively associated with dietary diversity. In order to enhance health, interventions that improve dietary diversity and vitamin A consumption should remain important areas of focus for health leaders in the region.
How Can Law Librarians Most Effectively Provide Legal Research Training?
Authors: Mishkin Steve
Published: March 2017

The proliferation of digital legal resources over recent years has profoundly changed the way in which lawyers carry out legal research. Law librarians have had to adapt rapidly to these new ‘disruptive technologies’ and have had to develop new ways to train their users in how to carry out the most effective legal search. As a consequence, training has become an increasingly important role of a law librarian. The literature shows that these issues have been much discussed, but often confined to either the academic sector, or to the role of the law librarian in a law firm. Over the past few years, the concept of information literacy has increasingly been seen as a way of developing more effective legal research training programmes. This study, conducted by Steve Mishkin*, examines the views of law librarians working in both the academic and non-academic sectors, regarding how to deliver legal research training most effectively. The study concludes by recommending greater cooperation between academic and non-academic law librarians and suggests that both need to make the case for the benefits of legal research training, in order to win support from their management for better resourced programmes. It also suggests that the quality of legal research training will be improved if law librarians themselves are provided with training, on how to deliver it most effectively.
Routinedaten – das ungenutzte Potenzial in der Versorgungsforschung
Authors: Djalali Sima , Markun Stefan , Rosemann Thomas
Published: March 2017

Zusammenfassung. Routinedaten entstehen als Nebenprodukt des normalen Betriebsalltags. Diese ohne Zusatzaufwand massenhaft generierten Daten lassen sich mit ökonomischen oder im Falle der Medizin auch mit gesundheitlichen Fragestellungen auswerten. Durch die nicht-kontrollierte Art der Sammlung von Routinedaten sowie aufgrund der uneinheitlichen Handhabung von elektronischen Krankengeschichten ergeben sich aber je nach Fragestellung Grenzen der Aussagekraft von Resultaten. Dieser Artikel widmet sich den Fragen rund um Herkunft, Verarbeitung, Interpretation und Nutzen von Routinedaten. Dabei werden auch Machine Learning und Big Data kritisch in den Kontext gebracht, sowie die Aspekte Datenschutz und Ethik. Hinsichtlich des Schweizer Gesundheitssystems zeigt der Artikel die notwendigen Voraussetzungen, damit das Potential von Routinedaten auch hierzulande zugunsten einer besseren medizinischen Versorgung genutzt werden kann.
Cell-based therapy using miR-302-367 expressing cells represses glioblastoma growth
Authors: Fareh Mohamed , Almairac Fabien , Turchi Laurent , Burel-Vandenbos Fanny , Paquis Philippe , Fontaine Denys , Lacas-Gervais Sandra , Junier Marie-Pierre , Chneiweiss Hervé , Virolle Thierry
Published: March 2017

Glioblastomas are incurable primary brain tumors that affect patients of all ages. The aggressiveness of this cancer has been attributed in part to the persistence of treatment-resistant glioblastoma stem-like cells. We have previously discovered the tumor-suppressor properties of the microRNA cluster miR-302-367, representing a potential treatment for glioblastoma. Here, we attempted to develop a cell-based therapy by taking advantage of the capability of glioma cells to secrete exosomes that enclose small RNA molecules. We engineered primary glioma cells to stably express the miR-302-367. Remarkably, these cells altered, in a paracrine-dependent manner, the expression of stemness markers, the proliferation and the tumorigenicity of neighboring glioblastoma cells. Further characterization of the secretome derived from miR-302-367 expressing cells showed that a large amount of miR-302-367 was enclosed in exosomes, which were internalized by the neighboring glioblastoma cells. This miR-302-367 cell-to-cell transfer resulted in the inhibition of its targets such as CXCR4/SDF1, SHH, cyclin D, cyclin A and E2F1. Orthotopic xenograft of miR-302-367-expressing cells together with glioblastoma stem-like cells efficiently altered the tumor development in mice brain.
Myogenic differentiation triggers PML nuclear body loss and DAXX relocalization to chromocentres
Authors: Salsman Jayme , Rapkin Lindsy M , Margam Nandini N , Duncan Roy , Bazett-Jones David P , Dellaire Graham
Published: March 2017

The promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) is expressed in most normal human tissues and forms nuclear bodies (NBs) that have roles in gene regulation and cellular processes such as DNA repair, cell cycle control, and cell fate decisions. Using murine C2C12 myoblasts, we demonstrate that activation of skeletal muscle differentiation results in loss of PML and PML NBs prior to myotube fusion. Myotube formation was associated with marked chromatin reorganization and the relocalization of DAXX from PML NBs to chromocentres. MyoD expression was sufficient to cause PML NB loss, and silencing of PML induced DAXX relocalization. Fusion of C2C12 cells using the reptilian reovirus p14 fusogenic protein failed to disrupt PML NBs yet still promoted DAXX redistribution and loss; whereas ectopic expression of PML in differentiated cells only partially restored PML NB formation and DAXX localization at NBs. Finally, we determined that the C-terminal SUMO-interacting motif of DAXX is required for its colocalization with ATRX in heterochromatin domains during myotube formation. These data support a model in which activation of myogenic differentiation results in PML NB loss, chromatin reorganization and DAXX relocalization, and provides a paradigm for understanding the consequence of PML loss in other cellular contexts, such as during cancer development and progression.
Allosteric cross-talk in chromatin can mediate drug-drug synergy
Authors: Adhireksan Zenita , Palermo Giulia , Riedel Tina , Ma Zhujun , Muhammad Reyhan , Rothlisberger Ursula , Dyson Paul J. , Davey Curt A.
Published: March 2017

Exploitation of drug–drug synergism and allostery could yield superior therapies by capitalizing on the immensely diverse, but highly specific, potential associated with the biological macromolecular landscape. Here we describe a drug–drug synergy mediated by allosteric cross-talk in chromatin, whereby the binding of one drug alters the activity of the second. We found two unrelated drugs, RAPTA-T and auranofin, that yield a synergistic activity in killing cancer cells, which coincides with a substantially greater number of chromatin adducts formed by one of the compounds when adducts from the other agent are also present. We show that this occurs through an allosteric mechanism within the nucleosome, whereby defined histone adducts of one drug promote reaction of the other drug at a distant, specific histone site. This opens up possibilities for epigenetic targeting and suggests that allosteric modulation in nucleosomes may have biological relevance and potential for therapeutic interventions.
The Par3 polarity protein is an exocyst receptor essential for mammary cell survival
Authors: Ahmed Syed Mukhtar , Macara Ian G.
Published: March 2017

The exocyst is an essential component of the secretory pathway required for delivery of basolateral proteins to the plasma membranes of epithelial cells. Delivery occurs adjacent to tight junctions (TJ), suggesting that it recognizes a receptor at this location. However, no such receptor has been identified. The Par3 polarity protein associates with TJs but has no known function in membrane traffic. We now show that, unexpectedly, Par3 is essential for mammary cell survival. Par3 silencing causes apoptosis, triggered by phosphoinositide trisphosphate depletion and decreased Akt phosphorylation, resulting from failure of the exocyst to deliver basolateral proteins to the cortex. A small region of PAR3 binds directly to Exo70 and is sufficient for exocyst docking, membrane-protein delivery and cell survival. PAR3 lacking this domain can associate with the cortex but cannot support exocyst function. We conclude that Par3 is the long-sought exocyst receptor required for targeted membrane-protein delivery.
Cholesterol-mediated allosteric regulation of the mitochondrial translocator protein structure
Authors: Jaipuria Garima , Leonov Andrei , Giller Karin , Vasa Suresh Kumar , Jaremko Łukasz , Jaremko Mariusz , Linser Rasmus , Becker Stefan , Zweckstetter Markus
Published: March 2017

Cholesterol is an important regulator of membrane protein function. However, the exact mechanisms involved in this process are still not fully understood. Here we study how the tertiary and quaternary structure of the mitochondrial translocator protein TSPO, which binds cholesterol with nanomolar affinity, is affected by this sterol. Residue-specific analysis of TSPO by solid-state NMR spectroscopy reveals a dynamic monomer–dimer equilibrium of TSPO in the membrane. Binding of cholesterol to TSPO’s cholesterol-recognition motif leads to structural changes across the protein that shifts the dynamic equilibrium towards the translocator monomer. Consistent with an allosteric mechanism, a mutation within the oligomerization interface perturbs transmembrane regions located up to 35 Å away from the interface, reaching TSPO’s cholesterol-binding motif. The lower structural stability of the intervening transmembrane regions provides a mechanistic basis for signal transmission. Our study thus reveals an allosteric signal pathway that connects membrane protein tertiary and quaternary structure with cholesterol binding.
Structure and vacancy distribution in copper telluride nanoparticles influence plasmonic activity in the near-infrared
Authors: Willhammar Tom , Sentosun Kadir , Mourdikoudis Stefanos , Goris Bart , Kurttepeli Mert , Bercx Marnik , Lamoen Dirk , Partoens Bart , Pastoriza-Santos Isabel , Pérez-Juste Jorge , Liz-Marzán Luis M. , Bals Sara , Van Tendeloo Gustaaf
Published: March 2017

Copper chalcogenides find applications in different domains including photonics, photothermal therapy and photovoltaics. CuTe nanocrystals have been proposed as an alternative to noble metal particles for plasmonics. Although it is known that deviations from stoichiometry are a prerequisite for plasmonic activity in the near-infrared, an accurate description of the material and its (optical) properties is hindered by an insufficient understanding of the atomic structure and the influence of defects, especially for materials in their nanocrystalline form. We demonstrate that the structure of Cu1.5±xTe nanocrystals can be determined using electron diffraction tomography. Real-space high-resolution electron tomography directly reveals the three-dimensional distribution of vacancies in the structure. Through first-principles density functional theory, we furthermore demonstrate that the influence of these vacancies on the optical properties of the nanocrystals is determined. Since our methodology is applicable to a variety of crystalline nanostructured materials, it is expected to provide unique insights concerning structure–property correlations.
Hydrolysis of nicosulfuron under acidic environment caused by oxalate secretion of a novel Penicillium oxalicum strain YC-WM1
Authors: Feng Weimin , Wei Zheng , Song Jinlong , Qin Qiao , Yu Kaimin , Li Guochao , Zhang Jiayu , Wu Wei , Yan Yanchun
Published: March 2017

A novel Penicillium oxalicum strain YC-WM1, isolated from activated sludge, was found to be capable of completely degrading 100 mg/L of nicosulfuron within six days when incubated in GSM at 33 °C. Nicosulfuron degradation rates were affected by GSM initial pH, nicosulfuron initial concentration, glucose initial concentration, and carbon source. After inoculation, the medium pH was decreased from 7.0 to 4.5 within one day and remained at around 3.5 during the next few days, in which nicosulfuron degraded quickly. Besides, 100 mg/L of nicosulfuron were completely degraded in GSM medium at pH of 3.5 without incubation after 4 days. So, nicosulfuron degradation by YC-WM1 may be acidolysis. Based on HPLC analysis, GSM medium acidification was due to oxalate accumulation instead of lactic acid and oxalate, which was influenced by different carbon sources and had no relationship to nicosulfuron initial concentration. Furthermore, nicosulfuron broke into aminopyrimidine and pyridylsulfonamide as final products and could not be used as nitrogen source and mycelium didn’t increase in GSM medium. Metabolomics results further showed that nicosulfuron degradation was not detected in intracellular. Therefore, oxalate secretion in GSM medium by strain YC-WM1 led to nicosulfuron acidolysis.
20S immunoproteasomes remove formaldehyde-damaged cytoplasmic proteins suppressing caspase-independent cell death
Authors: Ortega-Atienza Sara , Krawic Casey , Watts Lauren , McCarthy Caitlin , Luczak Michal W. , Zhitkovich Anatoly
Published: March 2017

Immunoproteasomes are known for their involvement in antigen presentation. However, their broad tissue presence and other evidence are indicative of nonimmune functions. We examined a role for immunoproteasomes in cellular responses to the endogenous and environmental carcinogen formaldehyde (FA) that binds to cytosolic and nuclear proteins producing proteotoxic stress and genotoxic DNA-histone crosslinks. We found that immunoproteasomes were important for suppression of a caspase-independent cell death and the long-term survival of FA-treated cells. All major genotoxic responses to FA, including replication inhibition and activation of the transcription factor p53 and the apical ATM and ATR kinases, were unaffected by immunoproteasome inactivity. Immunoproteasome inhibition enhanced activation of the cytosolic protein damage sensor HSF1, elevated levels of K48-polyubiquitinated cytoplasmic proteins and increased depletion of unconjugated ubiquitin. We further found that FA induced the disassembly of 26S immunoproteasomes, but not standard 26S proteasomes, releasing the 20S catalytic immunoproteasome. FA-treated cells also had higher amounts of small activators PA28αβ and PA28γ bound to 20S particles. Our findings highlight the significance of nonnuclear damage in FA injury and reveal a major role for immunoproteasomes in elimination of FA-damaged cytoplasmic proteins through ubiquitin-independent proteolysis.
Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 1a in the amygdala is involved in pain and anxiety-related behaviours associated with arthritis
Authors: Aissouni Youssef , El Guerrab Abderrahim , Hamieh Al Mahdy , Ferrier Jérémy , Chalus Maryse , Lemaire Diane , Grégoire Stéphanie , Etienne Monique , Eschalier Alain , Ardid Denis , Lingueglia Eric , Marchand Fabien
Published: March 2017

Chronic pain is associated with anxiety and depression episodes. The amygdala plays a key role in the relationship between emotional responses and chronic pain. Here, we investigated the role of Acid-Sensing Ion Channels 1a within the basolateral amygdala (BLA), in pain and associated anxiety in a rat model of monoarthritis (MoAr). Administration within the BLA of PcTx1 or mambalgin-1, two specific inhibitors of ASIC1a-containing channels significantly inhibited pain and anxiety-related behaviours in MoAr rats. The effect of PcTx1 was correlated with a reduction of c-Fos expression in the BLA. We examined the expression profile of ASICs and other genes in the amygdala in MoAr and sham animals, and found no variation of the expression of ASIC1a, which was confirmed at the protein level. However, an increase in the BLA of MoAr rats of both PI3Kinase mRNA and the phosphorylated form of Akt, along with Bdnf mRNA, suggest that the BDNF/PI3-kinase/Akt pathway might regulate ASIC1a in BLA neurons as demonstrated in spinal sensitisation phenomenon. We also observed changes in several kinase mRNAs expression (PICK1, Sgk1) that are potentially involved in ASIC1a regulation. These results show a crucial role of ASIC1a channels in the BLA in pain and anxiety-related behaviours during arthritis.
Serine protease SP105 activates prophenoloxidase in Asian corn borer melanization, and is regulated by serpin-3
Authors: Chu Yuan , Hong Fang , Liu Qizhi , An Chunju
Published: March 2017

Melanization reaction, resulting from the activation of prophenoloxidase, is a vital immune response in insects for encapsulating and killing the invasive organisms. Prophenoloxidase needs to be proteolytically activated by its upstream prophenoloxidase-activating protease (PAP) in melanization. Identification and characterization of PAPs facilitates the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in insect immunity. We here cloned a full-length cDNA for a serine protease, named as SP105, from Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée). The open reading frame of SP105 encodes 424-amino acid residue protein with a 19-residue signal peptide. Sequence comparison indicates that SP105 is most similar to Manduca sexta PAP3, a defined prophenoloxidase-activating protease. qRT-PCR analysis showed that SP105 mRNA levels increased significantly after a bacterial injection. Recombinant SP105 directly cleaved and activated Asian corn borer prophenoloxidase and therefore acted as the prophenoloxidase-activating protease. Additionally, SP105 formed SDS-stable complexes with a serine protease inhibitor, serpin-3, and its activity in activating prophenoloxidase was efficiently inhibited by serpin-3. Our work thus illustrated a prophenoloxidase-activating protease and revealed its regulation by serpin-3. The results would allow further advances in the understanding of the melanization in Asian corn borer and other insects.
Altered (neo-) lacto series glycolipid biosynthesis impairs α2-6 sialylation on N-glycoproteins in ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Alam Shahidul , Anugraham Merrina , Huang Yen-Lin , Kohler Reto S. , Hettich Timm , Winkelbach Katharina , Grether Yasmin , López Mónica Núñez , Khasbiullina Nailia , Bovin Nicolai V. , Schlotterbeck Götz , Jacob Francis
Published: March 2017

The (neo-) lacto series glycosphingolipids (nsGSLs) comprise of glycan epitopes that are present as blood group antigens, act as primary receptors for human pathogens and are also increasingly associated with malignant diseases. Beta-1, 3-N-acetyl-glucosaminyl-transferase 5 (B3GNT5) is suggested as the key glycosyltransferase for the biosynthesis of nsGSLs. In this study, we investigated the impact of CRISPR-Cas9 -mediated gene disruption of B3GNT5 (∆B3GNT5) on the expression of glycosphingolipids and N-glycoproteins by utilizing immunostaining and glycomics-based PGC-UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS profiling. ∆B3GNT5 cells lost nsGSL expression coinciding with reduction of α2-6 sialylation on N-glycoproteins. In contrast, disruption of B4GALNT1, a glycosyltransferase for ganglio series GSLs did not affect α2-6 sialylation on N-glycoproteins. We further profiled all known α2-6 sialyltransferase-encoding genes and showed that the loss of α2-6 sialylation is due to silencing of ST6GAL1 expression in ∆B3GNT5 cells. These results demonstrate that nsGSLs are part of a complex network affecting N-glycosylation in ovarian cancer cells.
Combined effects of temperature and the herbicide diuron on Photosystem II activity of the tropical seagrass Halophila ovalis
Authors: Wilkinson Adam D. , Collier Catherine J. , Flores Florita , Langlois Lucas , Ralph Peter J. , Negri Andrew P.
Published: March 2017

Tropical seagrasses are at their highest risk of exposure to photosystem II (PSII) herbicides when elevated rainfall and runoff from farms transports these toxicants into coastal habitats during summer, coinciding with periods of elevated temperature. PSII herbicides, such as diuron, can increase the sensitivity of corals to thermal stress, but little is known of the potential for herbicides to impact the thermal optima of tropical seagrass. Here we employed a well-plate approach to experimentally assess the effects of diuron on the photosynthetic performance of Halophila ovalis leaves across a 25 °C temperature range (36 combinations of these stressors across 15–40 °C). The thermal optimum for photosynthetic efficiency (▵"Equation missing") in H. ovalis was 31 °C while lower and higher temperatures reduced ▵"Equation missing" as did all elevated concentrations of diuron. There were significant interactions between the effects of temperature and diuron, with a majority of the combined stresses causing sub-additive (antagonistic) effects. However, both stressors caused negative responses and the sum of the responses was greater than that caused by temperature or diuron alone. These results indicate that improving water quality (reducing herbicide in runoff) is likely to maximise seagrass health during extreme temperature events that will become more common as the climate changes.
Phylogenomic evolutionary surveys of subtilase superfamily genes in fungi
Authors: Li Juan , Gu Fei , Wu Runian , Yang JinKui , Zhang Ke-Qin
Published: March 2017

Subtilases belong to a superfamily of serine proteases which are ubiquitous in fungi and are suspected to have developed distinct functional properties to help fungi adapt to different ecological niches. In this study, we conducted a large-scale phylogenomic survey of subtilase protease genes in 83 whole genome sequenced fungal species in order to identify the evolutionary patterns and subsequent functional divergences of different subtilase families among the main lineages of the fungal kingdom. Our comparative genomic analyses of the subtilase superfamily indicated that extensive gene duplications, losses and functional diversifications have occurred in fungi, and that the four families of subtilase enzymes in fungi, including proteinase K-like, Pyrolisin, kexin and S53, have distinct evolutionary histories which may have facilitated the adaptation of fungi to a broad array of life strategies. Our study provides new insights into the evolution of the subtilase superfamily in fungi and expands our understanding of the evolution of fungi with different lifestyles.
Single crystalline superstructured stable single domain magnetite nanoparticles
Authors: Reichel Victoria , Kovács András , Kumari Monika , Bereczk-Tompa Éva , Schneck Emanuel , Diehle Patrick , Pósfai Mihály , Hirt Ann M. , Duchamp Martial , Dunin-Borkowski Rafal E. , Faivre Damien
Published: March 2017

Magnetite nanoparticles exhibit magnetic properties that are size and organization dependent and, for applications that rely on their magnetic state, they usually have to be monodisperse. Forming such particles, however, has remained a challenge. Here, we synthesize 40 nm particles of magnetite in the presence of polyarginine and show that they are composed of 10 nm building blocks, yet diffract like single crystals. We use both bulk magnetic measurements and magnetic induction maps recorded from individual particles using off-axis electron holography to show that each 40 nm particle typically contains a single magnetic domain. The magnetic state is therefore determined primarily by the size of the superstructure and not by the sizes of the constituent sub-units. Our results fundamentally demonstrate the structure – property relationship in a magnetic mesoparticle.
Three dimensional characterization of GaN-based light emitting diode grown on patterned sapphire substrate by confocal Raman and photoluminescence spectromicroscopy
Authors: Li Heng , Cheng Hui-Yu , Chen Wei-Liang , Huang Yi-Hsin , Li Chi-Kang , Chang Chiao-Yun , Wu Yuh-Renn , Lu Tien-Chang , Chang Yu-Ming
Published: March 2017

We performed depth-resolved PL and Raman spectral mappings of a GaN-based LED structure grown on a patterned sapphire substrate (PSS). Our results showed that the Raman mapping in the PSS-GaN heterointerface and the PL mapping in the InxGa1−xN/GaN MQWs active layer are spatially correlated. Based on the 3D construction of E2(high) Raman peak intensity and frequency shift, V-shaped pits in the MQWs can be traced down to the dislocations originated in the cone tip area of PSS. Detail analysis of the PL peak distribution further revealed that the indium composition in the MQWs is related to the residual strain propagating from the PSS-GaN heterointerface toward the LED surface. Numerical simulation based on the indium composition distribution also led to a radiative recombination rate distribution that shows agreement with the experimental PL intensity distribution in the InxGa1−xN/GaN MQWs active layer.
Thermochromic Luminescent Materials and Multi-Emission Bands in d10 Clusters
Authors: Gautier Romain , Latouche Camille , Paris Michael , Massuyeau Florian
Published: March 2017

Thermochromic luminescent compounds with d10 metal ions are interesting materials for applications such as sensors or display devices. However, these properties are difficult to predict prior to their synthesis. In this communication, we investigated materials with structural assemblies known to be responsible of distinct luminescence mechanisms and show that they can be interesting potential thermometers. Thus, we compared the synthesis of a zinc halide and a copper halide based compounds which only differ in their ability to create clusters with metallophilic interactions. The compounds synthesized by hydrothermal method have been structurally characterized by Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Solid-State NMR, FTIR, UV-Visible spectroscopy, thermal analysis and EPR. The photoluminescence properties of the two materials have been characterized at different temperatures. The copper bromide compound shows luminescence thermochromism in a wide spectrum of colors owing to the formation of clusters generating multi-emission bands while the zinc bromide exhibits a single emission band and no thermochromism.
Rheotaxis in the Ediacaran epibenthic organism Parvancorina from South Australia
Authors: Paterson John R. , Gehling James G. , Droser Mary L. , Bicknell Russell D. C.
Published: March 2017

Diverse interpretations of Ediacaran organisms arise not only from their enigmatic body plans, but also from confusion surrounding the sedimentary environments they inhabited and the processes responsible for their preservation. Excavation of Ediacaran bedding surfaces of the Rawnsley Quartzite in South Australia has provided the opportunity to study the community structure of the Ediacara biota, as well as the autecology of individual organisms. Analysis of two bedding surfaces preserving large numbers of Parvancorina illustrates that individuals display a preferred, unidirectional orientation aligned with current, as indicated by the identified current proxies: tool marks, overfolded edges of Dickinsonia, felled fronds and drag structures generated by uprooted frond holdfasts. Taphonomic and morphological evidence suggests that the preferred orientations of Parvancorina individuals are not the result of passive current alignment, but represent a rheotactic response at some stage during their life cycle. These results illustrate a previously unrecognized life mode for an Ediacaran organism and arguably the oldest known example of rheotaxis in the fossil record. The morphology and previously suggested phylogenetic affinities of Parvancorina are also re-evaluated. Apart from possessing a bilaterally symmetrical body, there are no unequivocal morphological characters to support placement of Parvancorina within the Euarthropoda or even the Bilateria.
Irreversibility transition of colloidal polycrystals under cyclic deformation
Authors: Jana Pritam Kumar , Alava Mikko J. , Zapperi Stefano
Published: March 2017

Cyclically loaded disordered particle systems, such as granular packings and amorphous media, display a non-equilibrium phase transition towards irreversibility. Here, we investigate numerically the cyclic deformation of a colloidal polycrystal with impurities and reveal a transition to irreversible behavior driven by the displacement of dislocations. At the phase transition we observe enhanced particle diffusion, system size effects and broadly distributed strain bursts. In addition to provide an analogy between the deformation of amorphous and polycrystalline materials, our results allow to reinterpret Zener pinning of grain boundaries as a way to prevent the onset of irreversible crystal ordering.
Scaling trends and performance evaluation of 2-dimensional polarity-controllable FETs
Authors: Resta Giovanni V. , Agarwal Tarun , Lin Dennis , Radu Iuliana P. , Catthoor Francky , Gaillardon Pierre-Emmanuel , De Micheli Giovanni
Published: March 2017

Two-dimensional semiconducting materials of the transition-metal-dichalcogenide family, such as MoS2 and WSe2, have been intensively investigated in the past few years, and are considered as viable candidates for next-generation electronic devices. In this paper, for the first time, we study scaling trends and evaluate the performances of polarity-controllable devices realized with undoped mono- and bi-layer 2D materials. Using ballistic self-consistent quantum simulations, it is shown that, with the suitable channel material, such polarity-controllable technology can scale down to 5 nm gate lengths, while showing performances comparable to the ones of unipolar, physically-doped 2D electronic devices.