bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced cell uptake of fluorescent drug-loaded nanoparticles via an implantable photothermal fibrous patch for more effective cancer cell killing
Authors: Li Yangyang , Fu Yike , Ren Zhaohui , Li Xiang , Mao Chuanbin , Han Gaorong
Published: September 2017

Great efforts have been devoted to effective delivery of therapeutics into cells for cancer therapy.
Nebulizing novel multifunctional nanovesicles: the impact of macrophage-targeted-pH-sensitive archaeosomes on a pulmonary surfactant
Authors: Altube Maria Julia , Cutro Andrea , Bakas Laura , Morilla Maria Jose , Disalvo Edgardo Anibal , Romero Eder Lilia
Published: September 2017

Novel nebulized pH-sensitive nanovesicles remain structurally stable after crossing the pulmonary surfactant monolayer and could release a cytoplasmic fluorophore marker into the underlying macrophages.
Synthesis, coating, and drug-release of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles loaded with antibiotics
Authors: Geuli Ori , Metoki Noah , Zada Tal , Reches Meital , Eliaz Noam , Mandler Daniel
Published: September 2017

Post-surgery infections are considered the most challenging complication in the orthopedic and dental field.
Hydrothermal synthesis of novel photosensitive gold and silver bimetallic nanoclusters protected by adenosine monophosphate (AMP)
Authors: Liu Jiao , Yuan Xin-Xin , Li Hong-Wei , Wu Yuqing
Published: September 2017

AMP-capped gold and silver bimetal nanoclusters, Au–AgNCs@AMP, showing strong luminescence emission with a high quantum yield (QY = 8.46%) and novel photosensitivity, have been prepared using the hydrothermal synthesis method.
Joint optimisation of transmit waveform and receive filter for cognitive radar
Authors: Zhang Xiaowen , Wang Kaizhi , Liu Xingzhao
Published: September 2017

In this study, the authors consider the problem of joint transmit waveform and receive filter design for cognitive radar. The problem is analysed in signal‐dependent interference, as well as additive channel noise for an extended target with unknown target impulse response (TIR). To address this problem, an iterative algorithm is employed for target detection by maximising the average signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio of the received echo on the premise of ensuring the TIR estimation precision. In this method, the transmit waveform and receive filter are optimally determined at each step based on the previous step. In particular, under the same constraint on waveform energy and bandwidth, the Lagrange multiplier method is also considered. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed iterative algorithm waveform achieves a higher rate of performance significantly compared to Lagrange multiplier algorithm waveform and traditional linear frequency modulated waveform, in terms of estimation accuracy and detection performance.
One‐step synthesis of oxidation‐resistant Cu@Ag core–shell nanoparticles
Authors: Yuan Yujia , Xia Hui , Chen Yu , Xie Ding
Published: September 2017

One‐step synthesis of wet chemical method is proposed for the preparation of core–shell nanostructures of copper and silver. This facile and environment friendly fabrication simplifies the surface treatment of copper particles to avoid copper core to be oxidised before coating silver. The thermal stability against oxidation and electrical properties of Cu@Ag core–shell nanoparticles are investigated. The results show that Cu@Ag core–shell nanoparticles possess high spherical degree, and the silver is evenly coated on the surface of copper nanoparticles. The synthesised spherical Cu@Ag core–shell nanoparticles exhibit excellent thermal stability at the high temperature of 300°C. After annealing at 200°C for 30 min, the sheet resistance of the spherical Cu@Ag core–shell nanoparticles (Ag content 7.68 wt%) is extremely low (69.82 μΩ cm).
The 15 273 Å diffuse interstellar band in the dark cloud Barnard 68
Authors: Elyajouri Meriem , Cox Nick L. J. , Lallement Rosine
Published: September 2017

High obscuration of background stars behind dark clouds precludes the detection of optical diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) and hence our knowledge of DIB carriers in these environments. Taking advantage of the reduced obscuration of starlight in the near-infrared (NIR) we used one of the strongest NIR DIBs at 15 273 Å to probe the presence and properties of its carrier throughout the nearby interstellar dark cloud Barnard 68. We measured equivalent widths (EW) for different ranges of visual extinction AV, using VLT/KMOS H-band (1.46–1.85 μm) moderate-resolution (R ~ 4000) spectra of 43 stars situated behind the cloud. To do so, we fitted the data with synthetic stellar spectra from the APOGEE project and TAPAS synthetic telluric transmissions appropriate for the observing site and time period. The results show an increase of DIB EW with increasing AV. However, the rate of increase is much flatter than expected from the EW-AV quasi-proportionality established for this DIB in the Galactic diffuse interstellar medium. Based on a simplified inversion assuming sphericity, it is found that the volume density of the DIB carrier is 2.7 and 7.9 times lower than this expected average value in the external and central regions of the cloud, which have nH≃ 0.4 and 3.5 × 105 cm-3, respectively. Further measurements with multiplex NIR spectrographs should allow detailed modeling of such an edge effect of this DIB and other bands and help clarify its actual origin.
Effectiveness of “Indocyanine Green Dye Clamp Test” in Selecting Perforators for Muscle-Sparing-2 Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flaps in Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Okumura Seiko , Takeishi Meisei , Nakamura Ryota , Kakutani Satoshi , Hyodo Ikuo , Kamei Yuzuru
Published: September 2017

Introduction In breast reconstruction for cases in which tissue from zones 1 to 4 is required or a lower midline scar exists, it is possible to predict the need for vascular anastomosis with a vascular pedicle on the contralateral side if the dominant territory of each perforator can be identified in advance. In addition, it is possible to determine whether a single- or multiple-perforator-based flap is needed. We, therefore, developed the “indocyanine green dye (ICG) clamp test” to select perforators for breast reconstruction.

Methods The blood flow of a perforator was blocked using a microvascular clamp when determining its inclusion in a flap. The clamps were released after the enlargement of the ICG fluorescence imaging range. The enlarged imaging range was then observed to determine whether an additional pedicle was required.

Subjects One hundred thirty-two breast reconstruction procedures had been performed using the free muscle-sparing-2 transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (MS2 TRAM) flap method from May 2012 to December 2015. The population of the present study included 29 of these cases in which the selection of perforators was deemed necessary.

Results We investigated the cases in which anastomosis of the contralateral vascular pedicle was unnecessary. It was possible to preserve the medial muscle in 79.3% of the cases using our procedure.

Conclusion Our newly developed ICG clamp test was useful in selecting perforators for MS2 TRAM flaps and facilitated the performance of minimally invasive surgery.
Thomas Vinterberg: Die Kommune
Authors: Tilch-Bauschke Edeltraud
Published: September 2017

Der 1969 in Kopenhagen geborene Regisseur Thomas Vinterberg wurde 1993 durch das Familien- und Missbrauchsdrama „Das Fest“ bekannt. Sein
jüngster Film „Die Kommune“ wurde 2016 im Wettbewerb der Berlinale gezeigt. Vinterberg, der selbst vom 9.−17. Lebensjahr mit seinen
Eltern in einer Kommune aufwuchs, weiß um die Problematik einer solchen Lebensform.
Das Atmen erleichtern
Authors: Heppner Hans Jürgen
Published: September 2017

Beatmungstherapie beim geriatrischen Patienten Mit zunehmendem Alter verändern sich auch Atmungssystem, Muskelkraft und Muskelmasse
des Menschen. Entscheidende Faktoren, die es zu bedenken gilt, wenn ein Patient beatmungstherapeutische Unterstützung braucht.
Surface gradient dependence of bandgap energy and dielectric constant of ZnO tapered nanowires
Authors: Yu Wangbing , He Yan , Ouyang Gang
Published: September 2017

In order to gain a better understanding of the surface gradient effect on the electronic properties of ZnO tapered nanowires (TNWs), we establish an analytical relationship to elucidate the band offset and dielectric change by considering the joint effect from the nanowire size and surface gradient based on the atomic-bond-relaxation correlation mechanism and the Kramers-Kronig relation. It is found that a pronounced blue shift of the bandgap and dielectric suppression of ZnO TNWs are shown compared to those of NWs with a cylindrical shape. Our results are validated by comparing them with the available evidence, suggesting that the developed method is helpful for shape design on tunable electronic properties of nanostructures.
An on-chip polarization splitter based on the radiation loss in the bending hybrid plasmonic waveguide structure
Authors: Sun Chengwei , Rong Kexiu , Gan Fengyuan , Chu Saisai , Gong Qihuang , Chen Jianjun
Published: September 2017

Polarization beam splitters (PBSs) are one of the key components in the integrated photonic circuits. To increase the integration density, various complex hybrid plasmonic structures have been numerically designed to shrink the footprints of the PBSs. Here, to decrease the complexity of the small hybrid structures and the difficulty of the hybrid micro-nano fabrications, the radiation losses are utilized to experimentally demonstrate an ultra-small, broadband, and efficient PBS in a simple bending hybrid plasmonic waveguide structure. The hybrid plasmonic waveguide comprising a dielectric strip on the metal surface supports both the transverse-magnetic (TM) and transverse-electric (TE) waveguide modes. Because of the different field confinements, the TE waveguide mode has larger radiation loss than the TM waveguide mode in the bending hybrid strip waveguide. Based on the different radiation losses, the two incident waveguide modes of orthogonal polarization states are efficiently split in the proposed structure with a footprint of only about 2.2 × 2.2 μm2 on chips. Since there is no resonance or interference in the splitting process, the operation bandwidth is as broad as Δλ = 70 nm. Moreover, the utilization of the strongly confined waveguide modes instead of the bulk free-space light (with the spot size of at least a few wavelengths) as the incident source considerably increases the coupling efficiency, resulting in a low insertion loss of <3 dB.
Growth of strontium ruthenate films by hybrid molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Marshall Patrick B. , Kim Honggyu , Ahadi Kaveh , Stemmer Susanne
Published: September 2017

We report on the growth of epitaxial Sr2RuO4 films using a hybrid molecular beam epitaxy approach in which a volatile precursor containing RuO4 is used to supply ruthenium and oxygen. The use of the precursor overcomes a number of issues encountered in traditional molecular beam epitaxy that uses elemental metal sources. Phase-pure, epitaxial thin films of Sr2RuO4 are obtained. At high substrate temperatures, growth proceeds in a layer-by-layer mode with intensity oscillations observed in reflection high-energy electron diffraction. Films are of high structural quality, as documented by x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The method should be suitable for the growth of other complex oxides containing ruthenium, opening up opportunities to investigate thin films that host rich exotic ground states.
Ferroelectric system dynamics simulated by a second-order Landau model
Authors: Richman Michael S. , Rulis Paul , Caruso Anthony N.
Published: September 2017

By using a second-order time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau model, we simulate the dynamic polarization hysteresis behavior of a ferroelectric system subjected to a sinusoidal electric field. We examine polarization hysteresis loop structure as a function of both field amplitude and field frequency. The relationship between the latter and hysteresis loop area, i.e., hysteresis dispersion, is calculated. Departing from previous work that established that the considered model produces experimentally expected hysteresis dispersion in the low-frequency regime, we demonstrate that (i) this model also produces experimentally expected hysteresis dispersion in the high-frequency regime; (ii) this dispersion implies, in agreement with experimental observations, that system relaxation is characterized by an effective characteristic time which is inversely proportional to field amplitude when the latter is sufficiently high; and (iii) the considered model predicts a symmetry-breaking transition that depends on both field frequency and field amplitude.
Integrating splice-isoform expression into genome-scale models characterizes breast cancer metabolism
Authors: Angione Claudio
Published: September 2017

Motivation

Despite being often perceived as the main contributors to cell fate and physiology, genes alone cannot predict cellular phenotype. During the process of gene expression, 95% of human genes can code for multiple proteins due to alternative splicing. While most splice variants of a gene carry the same function, variants within some key genes can have remarkably different roles. To bridge the gap between genotype and phenotype, condition- and tissue-specific models of metabolism have been constructed. However, current metabolic models only include information at the gene level. Consequently, as recently acknowledged by the scientific community, common situations where changes in splice-isoform expression levels alter the metabolic outcome cannot be modeled.

Results

We here propose GEMsplice, the first method for the incorporation of splice-isoform expression data into genome-scale metabolic models. Using GEMsplice, we make full use of RNA-Seq quantitative expression profiles to predict, for the first time, the effects of splice isoform-level changes in the metabolism of 1455 patients with 31 different breast cancer types. We validate GEMsplice by generating cancer-versus-normal predictions on metabolic pathways, and by comparing with gene-level approaches and available literature on pathways affected by breast cancer. GEMsplice is freely available for academic use at https://github.com/GEMsplice/GEMsplice_code. Compared to state-of-the-art methods, we anticipate that GEMsplice will enable for the first time computational analyses at transcript level with splice-isoform resolution.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/GEMsplice/GEMsplice_code

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Enhanced guide-RNA design and targeting analysis for precise CRISPR genome editing of single and consortia of industrially relevant and non-model organisms
Authors: Mendoza Brian J , Trinh Cong T
Published: September 2017

Motivation

Genetic diversity of non-model organisms offers a repertoire of unique phenotypic features for exploration and cultivation for synthetic biology and metabolic engineering applications. To realize this enormous potential, it is critical to have an efficient genome editing tool for rapid strain engineering of these organisms to perform novel programmed functions.

Results

To accommodate the use of CRISPR/Cas systems for genome editing across organisms, we have developed a novel method, named CRISPR Associated Software for Pathway Engineering and Research (CASPER), for identifying on- and off-targets with enhanced predictability coupled with an analysis of non-unique (repeated) targets to assist in editing any organism with various endonucleases. Utilizing CASPER, we demonstrated a modest 2.4% and significant 30.2% improvement (F-test, P < 0.05) over the conventional methods for predicting on- and off-target activities, respectively. Further we used CASPER to develop novel applications in genome editing: multitargeting analysis (i.e. simultaneous multiple-site modification on a target genome with a sole guide-RNA requirement) and multispecies population analysis (i.e. guide-RNA design for genome editing across a consortium of organisms). Our analysis on a selection of industrially relevant organisms revealed a number of non-unique target sites associated with genes and transposable elements that can be used as potential sites for multitargeting. The analysis also identified shared and unshared targets that enable genome editing of single or multiple genomes in a consortium of interest. We envision CASPER as a useful platform to enhance the precise CRISPR genome editing for metabolic engineering and synthetic biology applications.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/TrinhLab/CASPER.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Autoimmune Progesterone Dermatitis Presenting as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Authors: Drayer Sara M. , Laufer Larry R. , Farrell Maureen E.
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis is an uncommon disease presenting with cyclical skin eruptions corresponding with the menstrual cycle luteal phase. Because symptoms are precipitated by rising progesterone levels, treatment relies on hormone suppression.

CASE:

A 22-year-old nulligravid woman presented with symptoms mistaken for Stevens-Johnson syndrome. A cyclic recurrence of her symptoms was noted, and the diagnosis of autoimmune progesterone dermatitis was made by an intradermal progesterone challenge. After 48 months, she remained refractory to medical management and definitive surgical treatment with bilateral oophorectomy was performed.

CONCLUSION:

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis is a challenging diagnosis owing to its rarity and variety of clinical presentations. Treatment centers on suppression of endogenous progesterone and avoidance of exogenous triggers. When these modalities fail, surgical management must be undertaken.
Spinal Gout Without Spinal Symptom in a Junior School Student
Authors: Wu Danbin , Ma Jiajian , Li Songsong , Zhao Jinwei , Li Ling
Published: September 2017

Study Design.

Case report.

Objective.

We report a case of a 16-year-old boy with intermittent and migratory polyarthralgia, who made a diagnostic dilemma.

Summary of Background Data.

Spinal involvement without spinal symptom in gout seems to be rare. However, the relationship of spinal gout to symptoms is poorly understood.

Methods.

Description of the case report.

Results.

Laboratory findings cannot explain his symptoms; however, a computed tomography of the pelvis revealed the presence of space-occupying lesion involving the left side of spine at L5-S1 level, and the later biopsy revealed that was a urate crystal, which help us make the diagnosis of spinal gout.

Conclusion.

Gout can be a cunning disease which has various manifestations, and spinal involvement can be asymptomatic.

Level of Evidence: 5
First-in-Human Treatment With a Dendritic Cell-targeting Lentiviral Vector-expressing NY-ESO-1, LV305, Induces Deep, Durable Response in Refractory Metastatic Synovial Sarcoma Patient
Authors: Pollack Seth M. , Lu Hailing , Gnjatic Sacha , Somaiah Neeta , O’Malley Ryan B. , Jones Robin L. , Hsu Frank J. , ter Meulen Jan
Published: September 2017

Effective induction of antitumor T cells is a pivotal goal of cancer immunotherapy. To this end, lentiviral vectors (LV) are uniquely poised to directly prime CD8 T-cell responses via transduction of dendritic cells in vivo and have shown promise as active cancer therapeutics in preclinical tumor models. However, until now, significant barriers related to production and regulation have prevented their widespread use in the clinic. We developed LV305, a dendritic cell-targeting, integration-deficient, replication incompetent LV from the ZVex platform, encoding the full-length cancer-testis antigen NY-ESO-1. LV305 is currently being evaluated in phase 1 and 2 trials in metastatic recurrent cancer patients with NY-ESO-1 positive solid tumors as a single agent and in combination with anti-PD-L1. Here we report on the first patient treated with LV305, a young woman with metastatic, recurrent, therapy-refractive NY-ESO-1+ synovial sarcoma. The patient developed a robust NY-ESO-1-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell response after 3 intradermal injections with LV305, and subsequently over 85% disease regression that is continuing for >2.5 years posttherapy. No adverse events >grade 2 occurred. This case demonstrates that LV305 can be safely administered and has the potential to induce a significant clinical benefit and immunologic response in a patient with advanced stage cancer.
Correlation Between Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients With Cardiac Disease
Authors: Andersen Karoline Stentoft , Laustsen Sussie , Petersen Annemette Krintel
Published: September 2017

Purpose:

Patients are referred to exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (ECR) to increase exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and thereby reduce risk of morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between exercise capacity and HRQOL. Furthermore, this study examined whether improvements in HRQOL were directly related to improvements in exercise capacity.

Methods:

The study included 277 patients participating in ECR. HRQOL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and exercise capacity was measured as peak oxygen uptake (

JOURNAL/jcprh/04.03/01273116-201809000-00005/5FSM1/v/2023-09-11T074631Z/r/image-gif

o
2peak) and oxygen uptake (

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o
2) at the ventilatory threshold (VTh). Patients were examined before and after completion of an 8-wk ECR program.

Results:

Analyses at baseline showed a significant correlation between

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o
2peak and VTh and physical functioning (PF), role limitations because of physical problems (RP), general health perceptions (GH), vitality (VT), and physical component summary (PCS) on the SF-36; PF was the only dimension showing a moderate correlation (>0.40 Spearman ρ) with

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o
2peak. The follow-up analyses demonstrated a significant correlation between changes in

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o
2peak and changes in PF, RP, VT, and MH. Changes in

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o
2 peak explained 4% of the changes in the PF and VT scores.

Conclusion:

The correlations between exercise capacity and HRQOL were weak and varied considerably among patients. The ECR program improved both exercise capacity and HRQOL, but it was not necessarily the same patients who improved both parameters. Therefore, it is recommended to use separate objective measures and patient-reported outcomes when evaluating the effect of ECR.
Assessing Readability and Reliability of Online Patient Information Regarding Vestibular Schwannoma
Authors: Spiers Harry , Amin Nikul , Lakhani Raj , Martin Andrew J. , Patel Parag M.
Published: September 2017

Hypothesis:

The aim of this study is to objectively assess the quality and readability of websites related to vestibular schwannomas.

Background:

Patients are increasingly seeking information on confirmed or suspected diagnoses through the Internet. Clinicians are often concerned regarding the accuracy, quality, and readability of web-based sites.

Methods:

Online information relating to vestibular schwannoma was searched using the three most popular search engines. The terms “acoustic neuroma” and “vestibular schwannoma” were used. The top 50 results from each site were assessed for readability using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease Score, and the Gunning-Fog Index. Quality of website information was scored using the DISCERN tool.

Results:

Of 300 search results analyzed, 58 separate appropriate websites were identified. The mean readability score using Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level was 10.27 (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.84–10.70). The mean Flesch Reading Ease Score was 48.75 (95% CI 46.57–50.92). The Gunning-Fog Index was 13.40 (95% CI 12.92–13.89). These scores equate to someone finishing secondary school/first year university student. DISCERN scores were highly variable but consistently demonstrated great variability in quality of information.

Conclusion:

Online patient information on vestibular schwannoma is highly variable in quality. Although there are a wide range of different websites easily available to patients on their condition and its treatment options, the information is written at a difficult level which may exceed the understanding level of many patients as it is written at a higher than average level of expected reading ability.
Impact of Training Frequency on Nurses’ Pediatric Resuscitation Skills
Authors: Ciurzynski Susan M. , Gottfried Julie Albright , Pietraszewski Julie , Zalewski Melinda
Published: September 2017

The ideal time frame for frequency of resuscitation skills training has yet to be determined. Results obtained from this performance improvement project using hands-on practice sessions suggest that 6 months may be an adequate time frame for retention of resuscitation skills. Professional development educators may want to consider 6-month retraining intervals for low-volume/high-risk skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation to optimize nurses’ proficiency in these life-saving competencies.
Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing of HIV-Positive Medicare and Medicaid Enrollees Falls Short of Guidelines
Authors: Landovitz Raphael J. , Gildner Jennifer L. , Leibowitz Arleen A.
Published: September 2017

Background

Men who have sex with men with HIV have high sexually transmitted infection (STI) incidence. Thus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends at least yearly STI screening of HIV-infected individuals.

Methods

We calculated testing rates for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea among HIV-positive Californians with Medicare or Medicaid insurance in 2010. Logistic regressions estimated how testing for each bacterial STI relates to demographic and provider factors.

Results

Fewer than two-thirds of HIV-positive Medicare and fewer than three-quarters of Medicaid enrollees received a syphilis test in 2010. Screenings for chlamydia or gonorrhea were less frequent: approximately 30% of Medicare enrollees were tested for chlamydia or gonorrhea in 2010, but higher proportions of Medicaid enrollees were tested (45%–46%). Only 34% of HIV-positive Medicare enrollees who were tested for syphilis were also screened for chlamydia or gonorrhea on the same day. Nearly half of Medicaid enrollees were tested for all 3 STIs on the same day. Patients whose providers had more HIV experience had higher STI testing rates.

Conclusions

Testing rates for chlamydia and gonorrhea infection are low, despite the increase in these infections among people living with HIV and their close association with HIV transmission. Interventions to increase STI testing include the following: prompts in the medical record to routinely conduct syphilis testing on blood drawn for viral load monitoring, opt-out consent for STI testing, and provider education about the clinical importance of STIs among HIV-positive patients. Last, it is crucial to change financial incentives that discourage nucleic acid amplification testing for rectal chlamydia and gonorrhea infections.
Integrative structural Investigation on the architecture of human Importin4_histone H3/H4_Asf1a complex and its histone H3 tail binding
Authors: Yoon Jungmin , Kim Seung Joong , An Sojin , Leitner Alexander , Jung Taeyang , Aebersold Ruedi , Hebert Hans , Cho Uhn-Soo , Song Ji-Joon
Published: September 2017

Importin4 transports histone H3/H4 in complex with Asf1a to the nucleus for chromatin assembly. Importin4 recognizes the nuclear localization sequence located at the N-terminal tail of histones. Here, we analyzed the structures and interactions of human Importin4, histones and Asf1a by cross-linking mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography, negative-stain electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering and integrative modeling. The XL-MS data showed that the C-terminal region of Importin4 interacts extensively with the histone H3 tail. We determined the crystal structure of the C-terminal region of Importin4 bound to the histone H3 peptide, thus revealing that the acidic path in Importin4 accommodates the histone H3 tail and that histone H3 Lys14 is the primary residue interacting with Importin4. Furthermore, the molecular architecture of the Importin4_histone H3/H4_Asf1a complex was produced through an integrative modeling approach. Overall, this work provides structural insights into how Importin4 recognizes histones and their chaperone complex.
Glucocorticoid-Induced Metabolic Disturbances are Exacerbated in Obesity
Authors: Harvey Innocence , Stephenson Erin J. , Redd JeAnna R. , Tran Quynh T. , Hochberg Irit , Qi Nathan , Bridges Dave
Published: September 2017

Objective: To determine the effects of glucocorticoid-induced metabolic dysfunction in the presence of diet-induced obesity. Methods: C57BL/6J adult male lean and diet-induced obese mice were given dexamethasone for different durations and levels of hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance and lipolysis were determined. Results: Obese mice given dexamethasone had significant, synergistic effects on insulin resistance and markers of lipolysis, as well as hepatic steatosis. This was associated with synergistic transactivation of the lipolytic enzyme ATGL. Conclusions: The combination of chronically elevated glucocorticoids and obesity leads to exacerbations in metabolic dysfunction. Our findings suggest lipolysis may be a key player in glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance and fatty liver in individuals with obesity.
Assessment of DNA methylation patterns in the bone and cartilage of a nonhuman primate model of osteoarthritis
Authors: Housman Genevieve , Havill Lorena M. , Quillen Ellen E. , Comuzzie Anthony G. , Stone Anne C.
Published: September 2017

Objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) impacts humans and several other animals. Thus, the mechanisms underlying this disorder, such as specific skeletal tissue DNA methylation patterns, may be evolutionary conserved. However, associations between methylation and OA have not been readily studied in nonhuman animals. Baboons serve as important models of disease and develop OA at rates similar to those in humans. Therefore, this study investigated the associations between methylation and OA in baboons to advance the evolutionary understanding of OA.

Design

Trabecular bone and cartilage was collected from the medial condyles of adult female baboon femora, five with and five without knee OA. The Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (450K array) was used to identify DNA methylation patterns in these tissues.

Results

Approximately 44% of the 450K array probes reliably align to the baboon genome, contain a CpG site of interest, and maintain a wide distribution throughout the genome. Of the two filtering methods tested, both identified significantly differentially methylated positions (DMPs) between healthy and OA individuals in cartilage tissues, and some of these patterns overlap with those previously identified in humans. Conversely, no DMPs were found between tissue types or between disease states in bone tissues.

Conclusions

Overall, the 450K array can be used to measure genome-wide DNA methylation in baboon tissues and identify significant associations with complex traits. The results of this study indicate that some DNA methylation patterns associated with OA are evolutionarily conserved, while others are not. This warrants further investigation in a larger and more phylogenetically diverse sample set.
Brain white matter structure and language ability in preschool-aged children
Authors: Walton Matthew , Dewey Deborah , Lebel Catherine
Published: September 2017

Brain alterations are associated with reading and language difficulties in older children, but little research has investigated relationships between early language skills and brain white matter structure during the preschool period. We studied 68 children aged 3.0-5.6 years who underwent diffusion tensor imaging and participated in assessments of Phonological Processing and Speeded Naming. Tract-based spatial statistics and tractography revealed relationships between Phonological Processing and fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity in bilateral ventral white matter pathways, the corpus callosum, and corticospinal tracts. The relationships observed in left ventral pathways are consistent with studies in older children, and demonstrate that structural markers for language difficulties are apparent as young as 3 years of age. Our findings in right hemisphere areas that are not as commonly found in adult studies suggest that young children rely on a widespread network for language processing that becomes more specialized with age.
Individual alpha peak frequency predicts 10 Hz flicker effects on selective attention
Authors: Gulbinaite Rasa , van Viegen Tara , Wieling Martijn , Cohen Michael X , VanRullen Rufin
Published: September 2017

Rhythmic visual stimulation (“flicker”) is primarily used to “tag” processing of low-level visual and high-level cognitive phenomena. However, preliminary evidence suggests that flicker may also entrain endogenous brain oscillations, thereby modulating cognitive processes supported by those brain rhythms. Here we tested the interaction between 10 Hz flicker and endogenous alpha-band (~10 Hz) oscillations during a selective visuospatial attention task. We recorded EEG from human participants (both genders) while they performed a modified Eriksen flanker task in which distractors and targets flickered within (10 Hz) or outside (7.5 or 15 Hz) the alpha band. By using a combination of EEG source separation, time-frequency, and single-trial linear mixed effects modeling, we demonstrate that 10 Hz flicker interfered with stimulus processing more on incongruent than congruent trials (high vs. low selective attention demands). Crucially, the effect of 10 Hz flicker on task performance was predicted by the distance between 10 Hz and individual alpha peak frequency (estimated during the task). Finally, the flicker effect on task performance was more strongly predicted by EEG flicker responses during stimulus processing than during preparation for the upcoming stimulus, suggesting that 10 Hz flicker interfered more with reactive than proactive selective attention. These findings are consistent with our hypothesis that visual flicker entrained endogenous alpha-band networks, which in turn impaired task performance. Our findings also provide novel evidence for frequency-dependent exogenous modulation of cognition that is determined by the correspondence between the exogenous flicker frequency and the endogenous brain rhythms.

Significance

Here we provide novel evidence that the interaction between exogenous rhythmic visual stimulation and endogenous brain rhythms can have frequency-specific behavioral effects. We show that alpha-band (10 Hz) flicker impairs stimulus processing in a selective attention task when the stimulus flicker rate matches individual alpha peak frequency. The effect of sensory flicker on task performance was stronger when selective attention demands were high, and was stronger during stimulus processing and response selection compared to the pre-stimulus anticipatory period. These findings provide novel evidence that frequency-specific sensory flicker affects online attentional processing, and also demonstrate that the correspondence between exogenous and endogenous rhythms is an overlooked prerequisite when testing for frequency-specific cognitive effects of flicker.
Virtual Genome Walking: Generating gene models for the salamanderAmbystoma mexicanum
Authors: Evans Teri , Johnson Andrew , Loose Matt
Published: September 2017

Large repeat rich genomes present challenges for assembly and identification of gene models with short read technologies. Here we present a method we call Virtual Genome Walking which uses an iterative assembly approach to first identify exons fromde-novoassembled transcripts and assemble whole genome reads against each exon. This process is iterated allowing the extension of exons. These linked assemblies are refined to generate gene models including upstream and downstream genomic sequence as well as intronic sequence. We test this method using a 20X genomic read set for the axolotl, the genome of which is estimated to be 30 Gb in size. These reads were previously reported to be effectively impossible to assemble. Here we provide almost 1 Gb of assembled sequence describing over 19,000 gene models for the axolotl. Gene models stop assembling either due to localised low coverage in the genomic reads, or the presence of repeats. We validate our observations by comparison with previously published axolotl bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) sequences. In addition we analysed axolotl intron length, intron-exon structure, repeat content and synteny. These gene-models, sequences and annotations are freely available for download fromhttps://tinyurl.com/y8gydc6n. The software pipeline including a docker image is available fromhttps://github.com/LooseLab/iterassemble. These methods will increase the value of low coverage sequencing of understudied model systems.
Assessment of CD4 T Lymphocyte Cell Levels among Hepatitis B, C and E Viruses Negative Individuals in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Adewumi M. O. , Omoruyi E. C. , Ifeorah I. M. , Bakarey A. S. , Ogunwale A. O. , Akere A. , Faleye T. O. C. , Adeniji J. A.
Published: September 2017

The CD4 T lymphocytes play a key role in achieving a regulated effective immune response to foreign antigens. It is also a valuable parameter for assessing HIV disease progression. However, variations in CD4 T lymphocyte values due to diverse factors have been reported. We evaluated CD4 T lymphocytes among healthy community dwellers who tested negative for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and hepatitis E viruses and compared the results with the National Reference Values (NRVs). Four hundred consenting participants who fulfilled the criteria for enrolment were evaluated for CD4 T lymphocyte counts. Estimated mean CD4 T lymphocyte count of 1,183 (CD4 Range: 328-2680) cells/μl of blood was recorded for the participants. Four (1.0%), 151 (37.8%), 157 (39.2%), 74 (18.5), and 14 (3.5) of the participants had CD4 T lymphocyte count ranged 352-500, 501-1,000, 1,001-1500, 1501-2,000, and >2,000 cells/μl of blood, respectively. Differences in the estimated mean CD4 count between different age groups varied significantly (P=0.010). In this study, significantly higher CD4 T lymphocyte values were observed among the study population in comparison to the NRVs, and consequently we advise careful interpretation and use of extrapolated CD4 T lymphocyte values in the management of persons with diverse geographical background or health conditions.
Task-level work engagement of self-employed and organizationally employed high-skilled workers
Authors: Bujacz Aleksandra , Bernhard-Oettel Claudia , Rigotti Thomas , Lindfors Petra
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Self-employed workers typically report higher well-being levels than employees. The purpose of this paper is to examine the mechanisms that lead to differences in work engagement between self-employed and organizationally employed high-skilled workers.

Design/methodology/approach

Self-employed and organizationally employed high-skilled workers (N=167) were compared using a multigroup multilevel analysis. Participants assessed their job control (general level) and reported their work engagement during work tasks (task level) by means of the Day Reconstruction Method. Aspects of job control (autonomy, creativity, and learning opportunities) and task characteristics (social tasks and core work tasks) were contrasted for the two groups as predictors of work engagement.

Findings

Self-employed workers reported higher levels of job control and work engagement than organizationally employed workers. In both groups, job control predicted work engagement. Employees with more opportunities to be creative and autonomous were more engaged at work. Self-employed workers were more engaged when they had more learning opportunities. On the task level, the self-employed were more engaged during core work tasks and social tasks.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that self-employment is an effective way for high-skilled workers to increase the amount of job control available to them, and to improve their work engagement. From an intervention perspective, self-employed workers may benefit most from more learning opportunities, more social tasks, and more core work tasks. Organizationally employed workers may appreciate more autonomy and opportunities for creativity.

Originality/value

This study contributes to a better understanding of the role that job control and task characteristics play in predicting the work engagement of high-skilled self-employed and organizationally employed workers.
#Trending topics in careers: a review and future research agenda
Authors: Akkermans Jos , Kubasch Stella
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Virtually all contemporary scientific papers studying careers emphasize its changing nature. Indeed, careers have been changing during recent decades, for example becoming more complex and unpredictable. Furthermore, hallmarks of the new career – such as individual agency – are clearly increasing in importance in today’s labor market. This led the authors to ask the question of whether these changes are actually visible in the topics that career scholars research. In other words, the purpose of this paper is to discover the trending topics in careers.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this goal, the authors analyzed all published papers from four core career journals (i.e. Career Development International, Career Development Quarterly, Journal of Career Assessment, and Journal of Career Development) between 2012 and 2016. Using a five-step procedure involving three researchers, the authors formulated the 16 most trending topics.

Findings

Some traditional career topics are still quite popular today (e.g. career success as the #1 trending topic), whereas other topics have emerged during recent years (e.g. employability as the #3 trending topic). In addition, some topics that are closely related to career research – such as unemployment and job search – surprisingly turned out not to be a trending topic.

Originality/value

In reviewing all published papers in CDI, CDQ, JCA, and JCD between 2012 and 2016, the authors provide a unique overview of currently trending topics, and the authors compare this to the overall discourse on careers. In addition, the authors formulate key questions for future research.
Gender and informal livelihoods
Authors: Ogando Ana Carolina , Roever Sally , Rogan Michael
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This paper explores the perceptions and experiences of women and men who work as informal waste collectors in four different cities. The purpose of this paper is to map out how and to what extent occupational, political-legal, economic and social dynamics are experienced differently by gender in a highly vulnerable segment of the urban informal economy, and explore gender differences in these workers’ coping strategies and the levels of action they develop to protect their livelihoods.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a mixed methods study which combined a quantitative survey of informal workers with a qualitative participatory methodology. Study participants were drawn from a purposive sample of informal workers who belong to, or are affiliated with, membership-based workers’ organisations. The sample consists of waste pickers (n=614) from Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Bogotá, Colombia; Durban, South Africa; and Nakuru, Kenya.

Findings

The data show that despite significant differences between women and men upon entry into (informal) employment, their perceptions of key drivers and impacts are largely similar, with the exception of concerns around various types of physical security among women. They also indicate that levels of action among men and women waste pickers are only moderately influenced by gender, but are strongly influenced by the degree of organisation in the sector and the symbolic assets held by workers. The findings also illustrate the way in which gendered power dynamics operate within the informal recycling sector and how different levels of sector organisation and development often contribute to opportunities for collective action and, in turn, a reduction in gendered vulnerabilities.

Originality/value

The study offers a new policy angle which connects the level of sector organisation and development with the levels of action taken by informal workers in adapting to different types of shocks, as well as what this means in terms of gender empowerment.
Paradox of gender and leadership in India: a critical review of Mardaani
Authors: Syed Jawad , Tariq Memoona
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the paradoxical and dynamic nature of gender and leadership in India through a critical review of Indian film Mardaani.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers a critical review of an Indian film and relates the analysis to the context of gender and leadership in India.

Findings

The review shows that masculine stereotypes of leadership are simultaneously reinforced and shattered in the Indian context, and that despite all the odds, women’s role in organisations is characterised by dynamism and change. The paper situates this review in the broader context of gender, employment and leadership in India and offers a critical analysis.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis has two implications. First, it indicates that women are equally capable of demonstrating worthy leadership. Second, it highlights that being a leader, or “mannish”, in the workplace does not mean that women are not responsible for the domestic and caring duties at home. In fact, female leaders in India continue to do the double shift by struggling to balance their roles in the workplace and their personal lives.

Originality/value

The paper offers an original analysis of a Bollywood film in the context of gender, culture and leadership.
Cultures of choice: towards a sociology of choice as a cultural phenomenon
Authors: Schwarz Ori
Published: September 2017

The article explores different ways to conceptualize the relationship between choice and culture. These two notions are often constructed as opposites: while sociologies of modernization (such as Giddens’) portray a shift from cultural traditions to culturally disembedded choice, dispositional sociologies (such as Bourdieu's) uncover cultural determination as the hidden truth behind apparent choice. However, choice may be real and cultural simultaneously. Culture moulds choice not only by inculcating dispositions or shaping repertoires of alternatives, but also by offering culturally specific choice practices, ways of choosing embedded in meaning, normativity, and materiality; and by shaping attributions of choice in everyday life. By bringing together insights from rival schools, I portray an outline for a comparative cultural sociology of choice, and demonstrate its purchase while discussing the digitalization of choice; and cultural logics that shape choice attribution in ways opposing neoliberal trends.