bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stellar magnetic activity and their influence on the habitability of exoplanets
Authors: Lüftinger T. , Güdel M. , Johnstone C.
Published: July 2015

Stellar magnetism, explorable via polarimetry, is a crucial driver of activity, ionization, photodissociation, chemistry and winds in stellar environments. Thus it has an important impact on the atmospheres and magnetospheres of surrounding planets. Modeling of stellar magnetic fields and their winds is extremely challenging, both from the observational and the theoretical points of view, and only recent ground breaking advances in observational instrumentation - as were discussed during this Symposium - and a deeper theoretical understanding of magnetohydrodynamic processes in stars enable us to model stellar magnetic fields and winds and the resulting influence on surrounding planets in more and more detail. We have initiated a national and international research network (NFN): ‘Pathways to Habitability - From Disks to Active Stars, Planets to Life’, to address questions on the formation and habitability of environments in young, active stellar/planetary systems. In this contribution we discuss the work we are carrying out within this project and focus on how stellar magnetic fields, their winds and the relation to stellar rotation can be assessed observationally with relevant techniques such as Zeeman Doppler Imaging (ZDI), field extrapolation and wind simulations.
Towards polarimetry as a tool for the detection of extra-terrestrial life
Authors: Bagnulo Stefano , Sterzik Michael F. , Cellino Alberto
Published: July 2015

Linear broadband polarimetry is used to characterize the objects of our solar system, and has also been proposed as a diagnostic tool for the atmospheres of exo-solar planets. Homochirality characterizes life as we know it and induces circular polarization in the diffuse reflectance spectra of biotic material. Hence it has been suggested that circular polarimetry may be used as a remote sensing tool for the search of extra-terrestrial life. With this motivation in mind we have decided to explore the potential of both linear and circular spectropolarimetry as a diagnostic tool for remote sensing of biotic material. We have used the calibration unit of the EFOSC2 instrument of the La Silla Observatory to obtain low resolution, but high signal to noise circular and linear spectropolarimetric measurements of a number of inorganic and organic materials. We then compare our “laboratory data” with spectropolarimetric observations of atmosphere-less bodies of our solar system and of Earthshine obtained with instruments very similar to that one used for our laboratory samples. We conclude that linear polarization measurements are more suitable than circular polarization measurements for the characterization of planetary surfaces and atmospheres, and for the search of extra-terrestrial life.
Introduction: Moving Targets Risk, Security, and the Social in Twentieth-Century Europe
Authors: Moses Julia , Rosenhaft Eve
Published: July 2015

According to the sociologists Ulrich Beck and Anthony Giddens, modern societies have become increasingly preoccupied with the future and safety and have mobilized themselves in order to manage systematically what they have perceived as “risks” (Beck 1992; Giddens 1991). This special section investigates how conceptions of risk evolved in Europe over the course of the twentieth century by focusing on the creation and evolution of social policy. The language of risk has, in the past twenty years, become a matter of course in conversations about social policy (Kemshall 2002). We seek to trace how “risk” has served as aheuristic toolfor understanding and treating “social problems.” A key aim of this collection is to explore the character of social policy (in the broadest sense) as an instrument (or technology) that both constructs its own objects as the consequences of “risks” and generates new “risks” in the process (Lupton 2004: 33). In this way, social policy typifies the paradox of security: by attempting literally to making one “carefree,” orsē(without)curitās(care), acts of (social) security spur new insecurities about what remains unprotected (Hamilton 2013: 3–5, 25–26). Against this semantic and philological context, we suggest that social policy poses an inherent dilemma: in aiming to stabilize or improve the existing social order, it also acts as an agent of change. This characteristic of social policy is what makes particularly valuable studies that allow for comparisons across time, place, and types of political regime. By examining a range of cases from across Europe over the course of the twentieth century, this collection seeks to pose new questions about the role of the state; ideas about risk and security; and conceptions of the “social” in its various forms.
Cultural Meanings of Social Security in Postwar Europe
Authors: Lengwiler Martin
Published: July 2015

The emergence of postwar welfare states in Europe is usually understood as a social and political phenomenon, as a social policy to prevent against forms of mass poverty and to grant general social rights and entitlements to populations during a period of rising prosperity. Beyond these sociopolitical aspects, the foundation of systems of social security after 1945 also had important cultural and epistemic implications. The promise of the state to provide a generalized form of security represented an important cultural factor in securing the social and political stability of postwar societies in Europe. This article examines some exemplary aspects of the meaning of social security by tracing their historical roots and their effects on postwar welfare states in Western Europe. In order to chart the various, interconnected cultural meanings of social security, it juxtaposes two institutional contexts in which social security and prevention were discussed: an international organization of social security experts and a Swiss life insurance company with an innovative health promotion service. The article shows how security was seen ultimately as an utopian response to the multiplication of risks and damages through the processes of industrialization and modernization and thus reveals how security served as both a technical concept for managing integrated systems of insurance and an instrument of control and calculation to help administer the economic and social policies of modern societies. By focusing on the example of life insurance, it demonstrates how security acted as an umbrella term for a generalized model of prevention that targeted the specific risks of a modern, middle-class consumer society.
Share Your Science with Today's Teachers, Tomorrow's Scientists
Authors: Anania Victoria
Published: July 2015

The American Geophysical Union invites members to participate in Exploration Station and the Geophysical Information for Teachers (GIFT ) Workshop.
Genome-editing tools for stem cell biology
Authors: Vasileva E A , Shuvalov O U , Garabadgiu A V , Melino G , Barlev N A
Published: July 2015

Human pluripotent stem cells provide a versatile platform for regenerative studies, drug testing and disease modeling. That the expression of only four transcription factors, Oct4, Klf4, Sox2 and c-Myc (OKSM), is sufficient for generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from differentiated somatic cells has revolutionized the field and also highlighted the importance of OKSM as targets for genome editing. A number of novel genome-editing systems have been developed recently. In this review, we focus on successful applications of several such systems for generation of iPSCs. In particular, we discuss genome-editing systems based on zinc-finger fusion proteins (ZFs), transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) and an RNA-guided DNA-specific nuclease, Cas9, derived from the bacterial defense system against viruses that utilizes clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR).
Sigma-1 receptor deficiency reduces MPTP-induced parkinsonism and death of dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Hong J , Sha S , Zhou L , Wang C , Yin J , Chen L
Published: July 2015

Sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) has been reported to be decreased in nigrostriatal motor system of Parkinson's disease patients. Using heterozygous and homozygous σ1R knockout (σ1R+/− and σ1R−/−) mice, we investigated the influence of σ1R deficiency on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-impaired nigrostriatal motor system. The injection of MPTP for 5 weeks in wild-type mice (MPTP-WT mice), but not in σ1R+/− or σ1R−/− mice (MPTP-σ1R+/− or MPTP-σ1R−/− mice), caused motor deficits and ~40% death of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta with an elevation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) NR2B phosphorylation. The σ1R antagonist NE100 or the NR2B inhibitor Ro25-6981 could alleviate the motor deficits and the death of dopaminergic neurons in MPTP-WT mice. By contrast, MPTP-σ1R+/− mice treated with the σ1R agonist PRE084 or MPTP-σ1R−/− mice treated with the NMDAr agonist NMDA appeared to have similar motor deficits and loss of dopaminergic neurons as MPTP-WT mice. The pharmacological or genetic inactivation of σ1R suppressed the expression of dopamine transporter (DAT) in substantia nigra, which was corrected by NMDA. The activation of σ1R by PRE084 enhanced the DAT expression in WT mice or σ1R+/− mice. By contrast, the level of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in σ1R+/− mice or σ1R−/− mice had no difference from WT mice. Interestingly, MPTP-WT mice showed the reduction in the levels of DAT and VMAT2, but MPTP-σ1R−/− mice did not. The inactivation of σ1R by NE100 could prevent the reduction of VMAT2 in MPTP-WT mice. In addition, the activation of microglia cells in substantia nigra was equally enhanced in MPTP-WT mice and MPTP-σ1R−/− mice. The number of activated astrocytes in MPTP-σ1R−/− mice was less than that in MPTP-WT mice. The findings indicate that the σ1R deficiency through suppressing NMDAr function and DAT expression can reduce MPTP-induced death of dopaminergic neurons and parkinsonism.
Reciprocal positive regulation between Cx26 and PI3K/Akt pathway confers acquired gefitinib resistance in NSCLC cells via GJIC-independent induction of EMT
Authors: Yang J , Qin G , Luo M , Chen J , Zhang Q , Li L , Pan L , Qin S
Published: July 2015

Gefitinib efficiency in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy is limited due to development of drug resistance. The molecular mechanisms of gefitinib resistance remain still unclear. In this study, we first found that connexin 26 (Cx26) is the predominant Cx isoform expressed in various NSCLC cell lines. Then, two gefitinib-resistant (GR) NSCLC cell lines, HCC827 GR and PC9 GR, from their parental cells were established. In these GR cells, the results showed that gefitinib resistance correlated with changes in cellular EMT phenotypes and upregulation of Cx26. Cx26 was detected to be accumulated in the cytoplasm and failed to establish functional gap-junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) either in GR cells or their parental cells. Ectopic expression of GJIC-deficient chimeric Cx26 was sufficient to induce EMT and gefitinib insensitivity in HCC827 and PC9 cells, while knockdown of Cx26 reversed EMT and gefitinib resistance in their GR cells both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, Cx26 overexpression could activate PI3K/Akt signaling in these cells. Cx26-mediated EMT and gefitinib resistance were significantly blocked by inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway. Specifically, inhibition of the constitutive activation of PI3K/Akt pathway substantially suppressed Cx26 expression, and Cx26 was confirmed to functionally interplay with PI3K/Akt signaling to promote EMT and gefitinib resistance in NSCLC cells. In conclusion, the reciprocal positive regulation between Cx26 and PI3K/Akt signaling contributes to acquired gefitinib resistance in NSCLC cells by promoting EMT via a GJIC-independent manner.
Modulation of dendritic cell function by the radiation-mediated secretory protein γ-synuclein
Authors: Kang S-M , Kim M-H , Song K-H , Jung S-Y , Ahn J , Hwang S-G , Lee J-H , Lim D-S , Song J-Y
Published: July 2015

Recently, γ-synuclein (SNCG), which is also known as breast cancer-specific gene-1, has been demonstrated to be an adverse and aggressive marker in breast cancer. In our previous study, SNCG was significantly upregulated in irradiated human breast cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether radiation-induced, tumor-derived SNCG can influence dendritic cell (DC) function in immune systems. The phenotypical and functional changes of DCs in the presence or absence of SNCG were investigated by FACS analysis, ELISA, and real-time PCR. The ability of SNCG-treated DCs to influence T cells was also examined by coculturing with T cells. The treatment of DCs with SNCG protein inhibited the surface expression of the co-stimulatory molecules CD40 and CD86, and decreased the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The SNCG-treated DCs inhibited T-cell proliferation slightly, but distinctively increased the population of regulatory T cells. In addition, the production of TGF-β from T cells was significantly increased when they were cocultured with SNCG-treated DCs. Taken together, these results demonstrate that tumor-derived SNCG contributes to immunosuppressive effects via the inhibition of DC differentiation and activation, thus making it a potential target for cancer treatment.
miRNAs in mtDNA-less cell mitochondria
Authors: Dasgupta N , Peng Y , Tan Z , Ciraolo G , Wang D , Li R
Published: July 2015

The novel regulation mechanism in mtDNA-less cells was investigated. Very low mtDNA copy in mtDNA-less 206 ρ° cells was identified. But no 13 mitochondria-specific proteins were translated in 206 ρ° cells. Their mitochondrial respiration complexes V, III and II were 86.5, 29.4 and 49.6% of 143B cells, respectively. Complexes I and IV completely lack in 206 ρ° cells. Non-mitochondrial respiration to generate ATP in 206 ρ° cells was discovered. The expression levels of some mitochondrial RNAs including 12S rRNA, COX1, COX2, COX3, ND4 and ND5 were low. However, ND1, ND3 and Cyto b were not expressed in 206 ρ° cells. Unequal transcription of mitochondrial RNAs indicated the post-transcriptional cleavage and processing mechanisms in the regulation of mitochondrial gene expression in 206 ρ° cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may modulate these mitochondrial RNA expression in these cells. RNA-induced silencing complex indeed within 206 ρ° cell mitochondria indicated miRNAs in 206 ρ° cell mitochondria. miRNA profile in mtDNA-less 206 ρ° cells was studied by next-generation sequencing of small RNAs. Several mitochondria-enriched miRNAs such as miR-181c-5p and miR-146a-5p were identified in 206 ρ° cell mitochondria. miR-181c-5p and miR-146a-5p had 23 and 19 potential targets on mitochondrial RNAs respectively, and these two miRNAs had multiple targets on mitochondria-associated messenger RNAs encoded by nuclear genes. These data provided the first direct evidence that miRNAs were imported into mitochondria and regulated mitochondrial RNA expressions.
Characterization of GSK′963: a structurally distinct, potent and selective inhibitor of RIP1 kinase
Authors: Berger SB , Harris P , Nagilla R , Kasparcova V , Hoffman S , Swift B , Dare L , Schaeffer M , Capriotti C , Ouellette M , King BW , Wisnoski D , Cox J , Reilly M , Marquis RW , Bertin J , Gough PJ
Published: July 2015

Necroptosis and signaling regulated by RIP1 kinase activity is emerging as a key driver of inflammation in a variety of disease settings. A significant amount has been learned about how RIP1 regulates necrotic cell death through the use of the RIP1 kinase inhibitor Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1). Nec-1 has been a transformational tool for exploring the function of RIP1 kinase activity; however, its utility is somewhat limited by moderate potency, off-target activity against indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), and poor pharmacokinetic properties. These limitations of Nec-1 have driven an effort to identify next-generation tools to study RIP1 function, and have led to the identification of 7-Cl-O-Nec-1 (Nec-1s), which has improved pharmacokinetic properties and lacks IDO inhibitory activity. Here we describe the characterization of GSK′963, a chiral small-molecule inhibitor of RIP1 kinase that is chemically distinct from both Nec-1 and Nec-1s. GSK′963 is significantly more potent than Nec-1 in both biochemical and cellular assays, inhibiting RIP1-dependent cell death with an IC50 of between 1 and 4 nM in human and murine cells. GSK′963 is >10 000-fold selective for RIP1 over 339 other kinases, lacks measurable activity against IDO and has an inactive enantiomer, GSK′962, which can be used to confirm on-target effects. The increased in vitro potency of GSK′963 also translates in vivo, where GSK′963 provides much greater protection from hypothermia at matched doses to Nec-1, in a model of TNF-induced sterile shock. Together, we believe GSK′963 represents a next-generation tool for examining the function of RIP1 in vitro and in vivo, and should help to clarify our current understanding of the role of RIP1 in contributing to disease pathogenesis.
Co-occurringSynechococcusecotypes occupy four major oceanic regimes defined by temperature, macronutrients and iron
Authors: Sohm Jill A , Ahlgren Nathan A , Thomson Zachary J , Williams Cheryl , Moffett James W , Saito Mak A , Webb Eric A , Rocap Gabrielle
Published: July 2015

Marine picocyanobacteria, comprised of the genera Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus, are the most abundant and widespread primary producers in the ocean. More than 20 genetically distinct clades of marine Synechococcus have been identified, but their physiology and biogeography are not as thoroughly characterized as those of Prochlorococcus. Using clade-specific qPCR primers, we measured the abundance of 10 Synechococcus clades at 92 locations in surface waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. We found that Synechococcus partition the ocean into four distinct regimes distinguished by temperature, macronutrients and iron availability. Clades I and IV were prevalent in colder, mesotrophic waters; clades II, III and X dominated in the warm, oligotrophic open ocean; clades CRD1 and CRD2 were restricted to sites with low iron availability; and clades XV and XVI were only found in transitional waters at the edges of the other biomes. Overall, clade II was the most ubiquitous clade investigated and was the dominant clade in the largest biome, the oligotrophic open ocean. Co-occurring clades that occupy the same regime belong to distinct evolutionary lineages within Synechococcus, indicating that multiple ecotypes have evolved independently to occupy similar niches and represent examples of parallel evolution. We speculate that parallel evolution of ecotypes may be a common feature of diverse marine microbial communities that contributes to functional redundancy and the potential for resiliency.
Repression of arterial genes in hemogenic endothelium is sufficient for haematopoietic fate acquisition
Authors: Lizama Carlos O. , Hawkins John S. , Schmitt Christopher E. , Bos Frank L. , Zape Joan P. , Cautivo Kelly M. , Borges Pinto Hugo , Rhyner Alexander M. , Yu Hui , Donohoe Mary E. , Wythe Joshua D. , Zovein Ann C.
Published: July 2015

Changes in cell fate and identity are essential for endothelial-to-haematopoietic transition (EHT), an embryonic process that generates the first adult populations of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from hemogenic endothelial cells. Dissecting EHT regulation is a critical step towards the production of in vitro derived HSCs. Yet, we do not know how distinct endothelial and haematopoietic fates are parsed during the transition. Here we show that genes required for arterial identity function later to repress haematopoietic fate. Tissue-specific, temporally controlled, genetic loss of arterial genes (Sox17 and Notch1) during EHT results in increased production of haematopoietic cells due to loss of Sox17-mediated repression of haematopoietic transcription factors (Runx1 and Gata2). However, the increase in EHT can be abrogated by increased Notch signalling. These findings demonstrate that the endothelial haematopoietic fate switch is actively repressed in a population of endothelial cells, and that derepression of these programs augments haematopoietic output.
Pressure-driven dome-shaped superconductivity and electronic structural evolution in tungsten ditelluride
Authors: Pan Xing-Chen , Chen Xuliang , Liu Huimei , Feng Yanqing , Wei Zhongxia , Zhou Yonghui , Chi Zhenhua , Pi Li , Yen Fei , Song Fengqi , Wan Xiangang , Yang Zhaorong , Wang Baigeng , Wang Guanghou , Zhang Yuheng
Published: July 2015

Tungsten ditelluride has attracted intense research interest due to the recent discovery of its large unsaturated magnetoresistance up to 60 T. Motivated by the presence of a small, sensitive Fermi surface of 5d electronic orbitals, we boost the electronic properties by applying a high pressure, and introduce superconductivity successfully. Superconductivity sharply appears at a pressure of 2.5 GPa, rapidly reaching a maximum critical temperature (Tc) of 7 K at around 16.8 GPa, followed by a monotonic decrease in Tc with increasing pressure, thereby exhibiting the typical dome-shaped superconducting phase. From theoretical calculations, we interpret the low-pressure region of the superconducting dome to an enrichment of the density of states at the Fermi level and attribute the high-pressure decrease in Tc to possible structural instability. Thus, tungsten ditelluride may provide a new platform for our understanding of superconductivity phenomena in transition metal dichalcogenides.
Condensin targets and reduces unwound DNA structures associated with transcription in mitotic chromosome condensation
Authors: Sutani Takashi , Sakata Toyonori , Nakato Ryuichiro , Masuda Koji , Ishibashi Mai , Yamashita Daisuke , Suzuki Yutaka , Hirano Tatsuya , Bando Masashige , Shirahige Katsuhiko
Published: July 2015

Chromosome condensation is a hallmark of mitosis in eukaryotes and is a prerequisite for faithful segregation of genetic material to daughter cells. Here we show that condensin, which is essential for assembling condensed chromosomes, helps to preclude the detrimental effects of gene transcription on mitotic condensation. ChIP-seq profiling reveals that the fission yeast condensin preferentially binds to active protein-coding genes in a transcription-dependent manner during mitosis. Pharmacological and genetic attenuation of transcription largely rescue bulk chromosome segregation defects observed in condensin mutants. We also demonstrate that condensin is associated with and reduces unwound DNA segments generated by transcription, providing a direct link between an in vitro activity of condensin and its in vivo function. The human condensin isoform condensin I also binds to unwound DNA regions at the transcription start sites of active genes, implying that our findings uncover a fundamental feature of condensin complexes.
Controllable synthesis of molybdenum tungsten disulfide alloy for vertically composition-controlled multilayer
Authors: Song Jeong-Gyu , Ryu Gyeong Hee , Lee Su Jeong , Sim Sangwan , Lee Chang Wan , Choi Taejin , Jung Hanearl , Kim Youngjun , Lee Zonghoon , Myoung Jae-Min , Dussarrat Christian , Lansalot-Matras Clement , Park Jusang , Choi Hyunyong , Kim Hyungjun
Published: July 2015

The effective synthesis of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides alloy is essential for successful application in electronic and optical devices based on a tunable band gap. Here we show a synthesis process for Mo1−xWxS2 alloy using sulfurization of super-cycle atomic layer deposition Mo1−xWxOy. Various spectroscopic and microscopic results indicate that the synthesized Mo1−xWxS2 alloys have complete mixing of Mo and W atoms and tunable band gap by systematically controlled composition and layer number. Based on this, we synthesize a vertically composition-controlled (VCC) Mo1−xWxS2 multilayer using five continuous super-cycles with different cycle ratios for each super-cycle. Angle-resolved X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, Raman and ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer results reveal that a VCC Mo1−xWxS2 multilayer has different vertical composition and broadband light absorption with strong interlayer coupling within a VCC Mo1−xWxS2 multilayer. Further, we demonstrate that a VCC Mo1−xWxS2 multilayer photodetector generates three to four times greater photocurrent than MoS2- and WS2-based devices, owing to the broadband light absorption.
Utilization of ancient permafrost carbon in headwaters of Arctic fluvial networks
Authors: Mann Paul J. , Eglinton Timothy I. , McIntyre Cameron P. , Zimov Nikita , Davydova Anna , Vonk Jorien E. , Holmes Robert M. , Spencer Robert G. M.
Published: July 2015

Northern high-latitude rivers are major conduits of carbon from land to coastal seas and the Arctic Ocean. Arctic warming is promoting terrestrial permafrost thaw and shifting hydrologic flowpaths, leading to fluvial mobilization of ancient carbon stores. Here we describe 14C and 13C characteristics of dissolved organic carbon from fluvial networks across the Kolyma River Basin (Siberia), and isotopic changes during bioincubation experiments. Microbial communities utilized ancient carbon (11,300 to >50,000 14C years) in permafrost thaw waters and millennial-aged carbon (up to 10,000 14C years) across headwater streams. Microbial demand was supported by progressively younger (14C-enriched) carbon downstream through the network, with predominantly modern carbon pools subsidizing microorganisms in large rivers and main-stem waters. Permafrost acts as a significant and preferentially degradable source of bioavailable carbon in Arctic freshwaters, which is likely to increase as permafrost thaw intensifies causing positive climate feedbacks in response to on-going climate change.
Intrinsically disordered proteins drive membrane curvature
Authors: Busch David J. , Houser Justin R. , Hayden Carl C. , Sherman Michael B. , Lafer Eileen M. , Stachowiak Jeanne C.
Published: July 2015

Assembly of highly curved membrane structures is essential to cellular physiology. The prevailing view has been that proteins with curvature-promoting structural motifs, such as wedge-like amphipathic helices and crescent-shaped BAR domains, are required for bending membranes. Here we report that intrinsically disordered domains of the endocytic adaptor proteins, Epsin1 and AP180 are highly potent drivers of membrane curvature. This result is unexpected since intrinsically disordered domains lack a well-defined three-dimensional structure. However, in vitro measurements of membrane curvature and protein diffusivity demonstrate that the large hydrodynamic radii of these domains generate steric pressure that drives membrane bending. When disordered adaptor domains are expressed as transmembrane cargo in mammalian cells, they are excluded from clathrin-coated pits. We propose that a balance of steric pressure on the two surfaces of the membrane drives this exclusion. These results provide quantitative evidence for the influence of steric pressure on the content and assembly of curved cellular membrane structures.
Predictors of poor-quality spirometry in two cohorts of older adults in Russia and Belgium: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Turkeshi Eralda , Zelenukha Dmitry , Vaes Bert , Andreeva Elena , Frolova Elena , Degryse Jean-Marie
Published: July 2015

Background:

Spirometry is an important test for the diagnosis of respiratory diseases, yet it is underused especially in older adults. Several predictors of good-quality spirometry in this age group have been reported, based mainly on in/outpatients of geriatric and/or respiratory units.

Aims:

This study aims to assess predictors of poor-quality spirometry in community-dwelling older adults from two primary care cohorts in Russia and Belgium.

Methods:

Spirograms from two population-based cohort studies in Russia (CRYSTAL) and Belgium (BELFRAIL) were assessed in accordance with the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) acceptability and repeatability criteria and grouped into good and poor quality. Multivariable analysis assessed the association of poor-quality spirometry with socio-demographics, functional dependency, physical and mental functioning and co-morbidities.

Results:

In all, 43.3% of the 522 BELFRAIL participants (84.71±3.67 years old) and 57.7% of the 605 CRYSTAL participants (75.11±5.97 years old) achieved all ATS/ERS acceptability and repeatability criteria. In both cohorts, those with poor-quality spirometry had lower cognitive function (mini-mental state examination (MMSE) ⩽24). After adjustment in multivariable analysis, MMSE ⩽24 had an odds ratio for poor-quality spirometry of 1.33 (95% CI=0.78–2.28) in the BELFRAIL and 1.30 (95% CI=0.88–1.91) in the CRYSTAL cohort.

Conclusions:

In community-dwelling older adults, including those over 80 years old, impaired cognition measured by the MMSE may not be an independent predictor of poor-quality spirometry. Further research is needed in this area, and spirometry should be used more often in older adults in primary care.
The highest-ranking rooster has priority to announce the break of dawn
Authors: Shimmura Tsuyoshi , Ohashi Shosei , Yoshimura Takashi
Published: July 2015

The “cock-a-doodle-doo” crowing of roosters, which symbolizes the break of dawn in many cultures, is controlled by the circadian clock. When one rooster announces the break of dawn, others in the vicinity immediately follow. Chickens are highly social animals and they develop a linear and fixed hierarchy in small groups. We found that when chickens were housed in small groups, the top-ranking rooster determined the timing of predawn crowing. Specifically, the top-ranking rooster always started to crow first, followed by its subordinates, in descending order of social rank. When the top-ranking rooster was physically removed from a group, the second-ranking rooster initiated crowing. The presence of a dominant rooster significantly reduced the number of predawn crows in subordinates. However, the number of crows induced by external stimuli was independent of social rank, confirming that subordinates have the ability to crow. Although the timing of subordinates’ predawn crowing was strongly dependent on that of the top-ranking rooster, free-running periods of body temperature rhythms differed among individuals and crowing rhythm did not entrain to a crowing sound stimulus. These results indicate that in a group situation, the top-ranking rooster has priority to announce the break of dawn and that subordinate roosters are patient enough to wait for the top-ranking rooster’s first crow every morning and thus compromise their circadian clock for social reasons.
Pleiotropy across academic subjects at the end of compulsory education
Authors: Rimfeld Kaili , Kovas Yulia , Dale Philip S. , Plomin Robert
Published: July 2015

Research has shown that genes play an important role in educational achievement. A key question is the extent to which the same genes affect different academic subjects before and after controlling for general intelligence. The present study investigated genetic and environmental influences on and links between, the various subjects of the age-16 UK-wide standardized GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) examination results for 12,632 twins. Using the twin method that compares identical and non-identical twins, we found that all GCSE subjects were substantially heritable and that various academic subjects correlated substantially both phenotypically and genetically, even after controlling for intelligence. Further evidence for pleiotropy in academic achievement was found using a method based directly on DNA from unrelated individuals. We conclude that performance differences for all subjects are highly heritable at the end of compulsory education and that many of the same genes affect different subjects independent of intelligence.
Identification of a multi-cancer gene expression biomarker for cancer clinical outcomes using a network-based algorithm
Authors: Martinez-Ledesma Emmanuel , Verhaak Roeland G.W. , Treviño Victor
Published: July 2015

Cancer types are commonly classified by histopathology and more recently through molecular characteristics such as gene expression, mutations, copy number variations and epigenetic alterations. These molecular characterizations have led to the proposal of prognostic biomarkers for many cancer types. Nevertheless, most of these biomarkers have been proposed for a specific cancer type or even specific subtypes. Although more challenging, it is useful to identify biomarkers that can be applied for multiple types of cancer. Here, we have used a network-based exploration approach to identify a multi-cancer gene expression biomarker highly connected by ESR1, PRKACA, LRP1, JUN and SMAD2 that can be predictive of clinical outcome in 12 types of cancer from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) repository. The gene signature of this biomarker is highly supported by cancer literature, biological terms and prognostic power in other cancer types. Additionally, the signature does not seem to be highly associated with specific mutations or copy number alterations. Comparisons with cancer-type specific and other multi-cancer biomarkers in TCGA and other datasets showed that the performance of the proposed multi-cancer biomarker is superior, making the proposed approach and multi-cancer biomarker potentially useful in research and clinical settings.
Hypoxia-induced autophagy mediates cisplatin resistance in lung cancer cells
Authors: Wu Hui-Mei , Jiang Zi-Feng , Ding Pei-Shan , Shao Li-Jie , Liu Rong-Yu
Published: July 2015

Hypoxia which commonly exists in solid tumors, leads to cancer cells chemoresistance via provoking adaptive responses including autophagy. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the role of autophagy and hypoxia as well as the underlying mechanism in the cisplatin resistance of lung cancer cells. Our study demonstrated that hypoxia significantly protected A549 and SPC-A1 cells from cisplatin-induced cell death in a Hif-1α- and Hif-2α- dependent manner. Moreover, compared with normoxia, cisplatin-induced apoptosis under hypoxia was markedly reduced. However, when autophagy was inhibited by 3-MA or siRNA targeted ATG5, this reduction was effectively attenuated, which means autophagy mediates cisplatin resisitance under hypoxia. In parallel, we showed that hypoxia robustly augmented cisplatin-induced autophagy activation, accompanying by suppressing cisplatin-induced BNIP3 death pathways, which was due to the more efficient autophagic process under hypoxia. Consequently, we proposed that autophagy was a protective mechanism after cisplatin incubation under both normoxia and hypoxia. However, under normoxia, autophagy activation ‘was unable to counteract the stress induced by cisplatin, therefore resulting in cell death, whereas under hypoxia, autophagy induction was augmented that solved the cisplatin-induced stress, allowing the cells to survival. In conclusion, augmented induction of autophagy by hypoxia decreased lung cancer cells susceptibility to cisplatin-induced apoptosis.
Synergistic High Charge-Storage Capacity for Multi-level Flexible Organic Flash Memory
Authors: Kang Minji , Khim Dongyoon , Park Won-Tae , Kim Jihong , Kim Juhwan , Noh Yong-Young , Baeg Kang-Jun , Kim Dong-Yu
Published: July 2015

Electret and organic floating-gate memories are next-generation flash storage mediums for printed organic complementary circuits. While each flash memory can be easily fabricated using solution processes on flexible plastic substrates, promising their potential for on-chip memory organization is limited by unreliable bit operation and high write loads. We here report that new architecture could improve the overall performance of organic memory and especially meet high storage for multi-level operation. Our concept depends on synergistic effect of electrical characterization in combination with a polymer electret (poly(2-vinyl naphthalene) (PVN)) and metal nanoparticles (Copper). It is distinguished from mostly organic nano-floating-gate memories by using the electret dielectric instead of general tunneling dielectric for additional charge storage. The uniform stacking of organic layers including various dielectrics and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as an organic semiconductor, followed by thin-film coating using orthogonal solvents, greatly improve device precision despite easy and fast manufacture. Poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] as high-k blocking dielectric also allows reduction of programming voltage. The reported synergistic organic memory devices represent low power consumption, high cycle endurance, high thermal stability and suitable retention time, compared to electret and organic nano-floating-gate memory devices.
Two universal physical principles shape the power-law statistics of real-world networks
Authors: Lorimer Tom , Gomez Florian , Stoop Ruedi
Published: July 2015

The study of complex networks has pursued an understanding of macroscopic behaviour by focusing on power-laws in microscopic observables. Here, we uncover two universal fundamental physical principles that are at the basis of complex network generation. These principles together predict the generic emergence of deviations from ideal power laws, which were previously discussed away by reference to the thermodynamic limit. Our approach proposes a paradigm shift in the physics of complex networks, toward the use of power-law deviations to infer meso-scale structure from macroscopic observations.
IRGM1 enhances B16 melanoma cell metastasis through PI3K-Rac1 mediated epithelial mesenchymal transition
Authors: Tian Linlu , Li Lixian , Xing Wenjing , Li Rui , Pei Chunying , Dong Xiao , Fu Yanran , Gu Changcong , Guo Xize , Jia Yulong , Wang Guangyou , Wang Jinghua , Li Bo , Ren Huan , Xu Hongwei
Published: July 2015

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin cancers and is well known for its high metastatic rate. Studies have shown that epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is essential for melanoma cell metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying EMT are still not fully understood. We have shown that IRGM1, a member of immunity-related GTPase family that regulates immune cell motility, is highly expressed by melanoma cells. The current study aimed to explore whether and how IRGM1 may regulate melanoma cell metastasis. To test this, we modified IRGM1 expression in B16 melanoma cells. We found that over-expression of IRGM1 substantially enhanced pulmonary metastasis in vivo. In keeping with that, knocking-in IRGM1 strongly enhanced while knocking-down IRGM1 impaired B16 cell migration and invasion ability in vitro. Interestingly, we observed that IRGM1 enhanced F-actin polymerization and triggers epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) through a mechanism involved in PIK3CA mediated Rac1 activation. Together, these data reveals a novel molecular mechanism that involved in melanoma metastasis.
DNA barcode reference library for Iberian butterflies enables a continental-scale preview of potential cryptic diversity
Authors: Dincă Vlad , Montagud Sergio , Talavera Gerard , Hernández-Roldán Juan , Munguira Miguel L. , García-Barros Enrique , Hebert Paul D. N. , Vila Roger
Published: July 2015

How common are cryptic species - those overlooked because of their morphological similarity? Despite its wide-ranging implications for biology and conservation, the answer remains open to debate. Butterflies constitute the best-studied invertebrates, playing a similar role as birds do in providing models for vertebrate biology. An accurate assessment of cryptic diversity in this emblematic group requires meticulous case-by-case assessments, but a preview to highlight cases of particular interest will help to direct future studies. We present a survey of mitochondrial genetic diversity for the butterfly fauna of the Iberian Peninsula with unprecedented resolution (3502 DNA barcodes for all 228 species), creating a reliable system for DNA-based identification and for the detection of overlooked diversity. After compiling available data for European butterflies (5782 sequences, 299 species), we applied the Generalized Mixed Yule-Coalescent model to explore potential cryptic diversity at a continental scale. The results indicate that 27.7% of these species include from two to four evolutionary significant units (ESUs), suggesting that cryptic biodiversity may be higher than expected for one of the best-studied invertebrate groups and regions. The ESUs represent important units for conservation, models for studies of evolutionary and speciation processes and sentinels for future research to unveil hidden diversity.
Possible Signatures of Hominin Hybridization from the Early Holocene of Southwest China
Authors: Curnoe Darren , Ji Xueping , Taçon Paul S. C. , Yaozheng Ge
Published: July 2015

We have previously described hominin remains with numerous archaic traits from two localities (Maludong and Longlin Cave) in Southwest China dating to the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. If correct, this finding has important implications for understanding the late phases of human evolution. Alternative interpretations have suggested these fossils instead fit within the normal range of variation for early modern humans in East Asia. Here we test this proposition, consider the role of size-shape scaling and more broadly assess the affinities of the Longlin 1 (LL1) cranium by comparing it to modern human and archaic hominin crania. The shape of LL1 is found to be highly unusual, but on balance shows strongest affinities to early modern humans, lacking obvious similarities to early East Asians specifically. We conclude that a scenario of hybridization with archaic hominins best explains the highly unusual morphology of LL1, possibly even occurring as late as the early Holocene.
AtMYB12 expression in tomato leads to large scale differential modulation in transcriptome and flavonoid content in leaf and fruit tissues
Authors: Pandey Ashutosh , Misra Prashant , Choudhary Dharmendra , Yadav Reena , Goel Ridhi , Bhambhani Sweta , Sanyal Indraneel , Trivedi Ritu , Kumar Trivedi Prabodh
Published: July 2015

Plants synthesize secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, which play important role during various stresses for their survival. These metabolites are also considered as health-protective components in functional foods. Flavonols, one of the important groups of flavonoids, apart from performing several roles in plants have been recognized as potent phytoceuticals for human health. Tomato fruits are deficient in this group of flavonoids and have been an important target for enhancing the accumulation of flavonols through genetic manipulations. In the present study, AtMYB12 transcription factor of the Arabidopsis has been expressed under constitutive promoter in tomato. Transgenic tomato lines exhibited enhanced accumulation of flavonols and chlorogenic acid (CGA) in leaf and fruit accompanied with elevated expression of phenylpropanoid pathway genes involved in flavonol biosynthesis. In addition, global gene expression analysis in leaf and fruit suggested that AtMYB12 modulates number of molecular processes including aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, phytohormone signaling and stress responses. Besides this, a differential modulation of the genes in fruits and leaves is reported in this study. Taken together, results demonstrate that modulation of primary carbon metabolism and other pathways by AtMYB12 in tomato may lead to sufficient substrate supply for enhanced content of phenolics in general and flavonols in particular.
Eco-friendly carbon-nanodot-based fluorescent paints for advanced photocatalytic systems
Authors: Young Park So , Uk Lee Hyun , Lee Young-Chul , Choi Saehae , Hyun Cho Dae , Sik Kim Hee , Bang Sunghee , Seo Soonjoo , Chang Lee Soon , Won Jonghan , Son Byung-Chul , Yang Mino , Lee Jouhahn
Published: July 2015

Fluorescent carbon nanomaterials, especially zero-dimensional (0D) carbon nanodots (CDs), are widely used in broad biological and optoelectronic applications. CDs have unique characteristics such as strong fluorescence, biocompatibility, sun-light response and capability of mass-production. Beyond the previous green CD obtained from harmful natural substances, we report a new type of fluid-based fluorescent CD paints (C-paints) derived from polyethylene glycol (PEG; via simple ultrasound irradiation at room temperatures) and produced in quantum yields of up to ~14%. Additionally, C-paints possess a strong, UV- and visible-light-responsive photoluminescent (PL) property. Most especially, C-paints, by incorporation into a photocatalytic system, show additional roles in the emission of fluorescent light for activation of TiO2nanoparticles (NPs) and the resultant detoxification of most organic dyes, thus further enabling embarkation in advanced water purification.
Spatiotemporal neural network dynamics for the processing of dynamic facial expressions
Authors: Sato Wataru , Kochiyama Takanori , Uono Shota
Published: July 2015

The dynamic facial expressions of emotion automatically elicit multifaceted psychological activities; however, the temporal profiles and dynamic interaction patterns of brain activities remain unknown. We investigated these issues using magnetoencephalography. Participants passively observed dynamic facial expressions of fear and happiness, or dynamic mosaics. Source-reconstruction analyses utilizing functional magnetic-resonance imaging data revealed higher activation in broad regions of the bilateral occipital and temporal cortices in response to dynamic facial expressions than in response to dynamic mosaics at 150–200 ms and some later time points. The right inferior frontal gyrus exhibited higher activity for dynamic faces versus mosaics at 300–350 ms. Dynamic causal-modeling analyses revealed that dynamic faces activated the dual visual routes and visual–motor route. Superior influences of feedforward and feedback connections were identified before and after 200 ms, respectively. These results indicate that hierarchical, bidirectional neural network dynamics within a few hundred milliseconds implement the processing of dynamic facial expressions.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Three SAUR proteins SAUR76, SAUR77 and SAUR78 promote plant growth in Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Zhi-Gang , Chen Hao-Wei , Li Qing-Tian , Tao Jian-Jun , Bian Xiao-Hua , Ma Biao , Zhang Wan-Ke , Chen Shou-Yi , Zhang Jin-Song
Published: July 2015

Ethylene perceived by a family of five receptors regulates many developmental processes in Arabidopsis. Here we conducted the yeast two-hybrid assay to screen for additional unidentified proteins that interact with subfamily II ethylene receptor ETR2. Three SAUR proteins, named SAUR76, 77 and 78, were identified to associate with both ETR2 and EIN4 in different assays. Interaction of SAUR76 and SAUR78 with ETR2 was further verified by co-immunoprecipitation and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays. Expressions of SAUR76-78 are induced by auxin and ethylene treatments. Compared with wild type, SAUR-overexpressing plants exhibit reduced ethylene sensitivity, while SAUR-RNAi lines exhibit enhanced ethylene sensitivity. Overexpressing the three SAURs partially complements the phenotype of subfamily II ethylene receptor loss-of-function double mutant etr2-3ein4-4, which has increased ethylene response and small cotyledon and rosette. saur76 mutation partially suppresses the reduced ethylene sensitivity of etr2-2. SAUR76/78 proteins are regulated by 26S proteasome system and larger tag increases their protein stability. These findings suggest that SAUR76-78 may affect ethylene receptor signaling and promote plant growth in Arabidopsis.