bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The importance of setting and measuring individual treatment goals for adolescents learning improved prosocial behaviour
Authors: Ralph Alan
Published: February 2016

This paper describes a structured problem-solving approach for successfully engaging adolescents having difficulties with social interactions. Counselling is conducted on a 1-to-1 basis and aimed at increasing verbal problem-solving behaviour, such as setting relevant goals and identifying behaviour likely to result in increased, pleasurable contact with peers, consistent with the attainment of the selected goals. In addition to a number of self-report questionnaire measures, a diary was designed to monitor changes in peer interactions. Individual progress data are presented for 3 adolescents who participated in a 10-week program designed to assist them to develop improved prosocial behaviour with their peers. The data illustrate the importance of accurately determining precise goals for each adolescent and developing a collaborative approach between counsellor and adolescent to ensure that these goals accurately reflect the wishes and needs of the adolescent.
Peer as social support: a practitioner's approach to developing a school-based peer helper program
Authors: Douglas Gloria
Published: February 2016

It has been observed that young people seek peer assistance before approaching adult counsellors for help. A program where older students were trained to provide “helping friend” support for others was developed. Senior students received skills training in basic counselling, adolescent coping, conflict resolution, and group facilitation. The program was designed to tap into the natural helping behaviours of adolescents, the resourcefulness adolescents display in providing support for each other, and the influence which the peer group has during adolescence. This paper describes the process taken in program development and implementation. This included a review of research into adolescent concerns, resources they access, and factors which contribute to coping, personal effectiveness and resiliency. An evaluation of the specific needs of the school community is also outlined.
Perceptions of psychological recommendation strategies: A review
Authors: Farrell Jennifer , Care Esther
Published: February 2016

School psychology reports typically include program recommendations for teachers to implement with their students. These recommendations, however, are not always followed up. This brief review identifies and discusses some of the factors which may account for this phenomenon. Lack of research in the field is evident, particularly in the Australian context. Issues of role identification of psychologists in the school system, and the expectations of them held by teaching staff are discussed.
Coping with transition: a case for providing resources to first year university students
Authors: Jones Barbara , Frydenberg Erica
Published: February 2016

During the transition from secondary school to university many students experience stress associated with academic concerns and difficulties in coping with new academic and social demands. The present study investigated first year university students' level of academic stress across first semester and evaluated the coping strategies employed by students to deal with academic concerns. Students' level of academic stress was greater at the beginning of semester, during the transition period than at the end of semester, prior to the examination period. A positive relationship between academic stress and non-productive coping was also revealed. It was concluded that effective and timely assistance needs to be provided to students prior to, or during the transition period to make the commencement of university a positive experience.
An Intervention Targetting Hopelessness in Adolescents by Promoting Positive Future Images
Authors: Gidley Jennifer M
Published: February 2016

This paper presents some ground-work for the development of a new theoretical approach which has the potential to contribute to primary prevention of suicide in adolescents by targetting hopelessness. Drawing on the extensive psychological literature which has linked hopelessness with depression and suicide risk for decades, the author notes that although there is a strong research and clinical base for targetting depression, there is a gap in the psychological literature when it comes to targetting hopelessness, specifically. Looking beyond the psychology field to the futures studies research field, the author draws links between the psychology research that does exist and the youth futures research which correlates rising youth suicide rates with growing fears and negativity of young people towards the future. Based on this new theoretical perspective, an intervention has been developed and is detailed here which attempts to reduce hopelessness in adolescents by promoting more positive images of the future.
The Nature of Feared Outcome Representations in Anxious and Non-anxious Children
Authors: Campbell Marilyn A , Rapee Ronald M , Spence Susan H
Published: February 2016

The present study examined whether wording changes in a self-report anxiety scale for children were better able to distinguish anxious from non-anxious children than traditional wording. Furthermore, the study explored whether phrasing the items as either stimulus or consequences (outcomes) of events, would give a better assessment of fear and anxiety in children and adolescents. The four questionnaires were administered to an anxiety-disordered group and a non-anxious group of children aged from 6 to 15 years. Anxious children reported that they thought more about negative outcomes than non-anxious children. However, there were no differences in scores between the two groups using stimulus items. All children regarded negative physical consequences as aversive. However, anxious children reported thinking more frequently about negative physical outcomes than did non-anxious children. All children also thought about negative social outcomes. However, anxiety-disordered children rated negative social outcomes as more aversive than did non-anxious children. None of the four measures discriminated between the different anxiety disorders. Implications for children's self-report data on anxiety are discussed.
Promote or Perish: Ensuring the Survival of Guidance Counsellors
Authors: Barletta John , Watson Ivan
Published: February 2016

During consecutive terms as President of the Queensland Guidance and Counselling Association, the first author routinely made public addresses where the survival and promotion of the Counselling profession was explored. Following such speeches, Guidance Counsellors would typically tell stories about the poor regard with which their role was held within their system and asked what they could do to increase their identity, profile and status. The second author, in eighteen years as a Guidance Officer in a different state, also came to learn that embedded within such interactions and questions were anxieties about job security and concerns about the public perception of the relative professional value of our role. It would be possible to write a paper that reflected that gloom, but we decided it would be timely and more useful to consider what could be done to increase the likelihood of professional survival.

In addition to the climate existing in the world of Guidance, we are aware of the advent of Nurse Counsellors, Behaviour Teachers, Pastoral Carers, Home-School Liaison Officers, School-based Police, Chaplains and Welfare Workers within the education context. It has been the placement of these additional personnel within schools which has added to the unease of Guidance Counsellors, with what many believe is usurping some of the their role.
Enhancing Guidance and School Counselling Consultation Services from a Self-system Psychological Perspective
Authors: Hay Ian
Published: February 2016

This paper reviews consultation between school guidance counsellors and teachers and parents from a self-system psychological perspective. From this perspective factors, such as self-serving bias, self-enhancement, self-verification, sense of control, and stress coping strategies all impact on the consultation process. The paper addresses the challenge of understanding and minimising the negative ramifications of the self-system factors and suggests strategies that can help build a positive professional relationship. The paper explores the interactions between the self-system variables and behaviour so that guidance and school counsellors are in a better position to monitor their interactions and work more effectively with a range of consultees.
Raising a FAS/FAE Child: Helping Carers Cope
Authors: Tindle Elizabeth
Published: February 2016

This paper will address the growing community problem of caring for children, young people and adults with disabilities stemming from alcohol related birth defects. It will begin with an outline of the problem followed by examples of how parents can produce multiple children damaged in utero by alcohol and/or drug consumption. The process of diagnosing these children and looking at proven strategies for successfully and safely raising them will be discussed. Finally, the importance of the foster parents and their specific needs will be addressed.
Temperament in Context: The Student Styles Questionnaire as a Measure of Temperament: An Australian Study
Authors: Faulkner Michael
Published: February 2016

This paper overviews temperament research and its relationship to context. It provides an introduction to the Student Styles Questionnaire as a temperament measure and its educational value. It presents Australian SSQ data, based on a sample of 308 students, aged 9, 11, 13 and 15, from a regional city. Both quantitative and qualitative findings are included as a means of illustrating the value of this instrument. Comparisons are made with the United States SSQ normative sample.
Grief and Loss: Perspectives for School Personnel
Authors: O'Connor Cathy , Templeton Elizabeth
Published: February 2016

Discussing death, grief and loss is difficult, however, the impact of loss on students makes dealing with bereavement and grief unavoidable for teachers. To best prepare for helping students, school personnel need to deal with their own feelings about these issues first. Becoming familiar with children's perceptions of death, the stages and expressions of grief, and effective coping strategies will further enhance the support provided by school personnel to graving students (Westmoreland, 1996). This paper reviews the literature on grief and loss in order to provide a background from which school personnel may draw in their preparation for assisting students experiencing such circumstances. Clarification of commonly used terms is provided and the nature of grief and loss is explored. Implications for parents, teachers, counsellors and school systems are outlined and a brief overview of recommended strategies is presented.
Lernberatung in der arbeits­orientierten Grundbildung (AoG) von Beschäftigten in der Altenhilfe
Authors: Klein Rosemarie , Reutter Gerhard
Published: February 2016

Zusammenfassung. Beratung ist in den letzten Jahren zu einem der Schlüsselbegriffe in den pädagogischen und andragogischen Debatten geworden. Dabei hat auch Lernberatung eine Aufwertung erfahren, nicht zuletzt deshalb, weil sie für ganz verschiedene Kontexte konzeptualisiert wurde. Dieser Beitrag beleuchtet Lernberatung im neuen Feld der arbeitsorientierten Grundbildung, nämlich, der beruflich-betrieblichen Weiterbildung vor allem von gering Qualifizierten in der Altenhilfe und Hauswirtschaft. Das Ziel verschiedener Projekte bestand darin, den Kurs und die externe Lernberatung arbeitsfeldübergreifend zu konzipieren, um das gegenseitige Verstehen der jeweiligen Arbeitssituationen und die Zusammenarbeit zu befördern.
Kollegiale Beratung in der Gesundheits- und Krankenpflegeausbildung
Authors: Roddewig Marion
Published: February 2016

Zusammenfassung. Um die individuell unterschiedlich wahrgenommene Stressbelastung während der Ausbildung zu reduzieren, wurde für Schüler/innen in pflegerischen Berufen ein Anleitungsprogramm zum Erlernen von Kollegialer Beratung entwickelt. Als eine Methode des selbstgesteuerten Lernens sollen sie neben dem fachlichen Austausch ausbildungsbegleitende Strategien entwickeln, um die Anforderungen des beruflichen Alltags besser bewältigen zu können.
Schulgesundheitspflege
Authors: Banovic Alisa
Published: February 2016

Zusammenfassung. In der Qualifikationsarbeit zur Erreichung des Grades Bachelor of Science Pflege hat sich die Autorin mit der Entwicklung einer Weiterbildungseinheit für den Erste Hilfe- Unterricht für Schulkinder durch professionell Pflegende auseinandergesetzt.
Caspase-2 resides in the mitochondria and mediates apoptosis directly from the mitochondrial compartment
Authors: Lopez-Cruzan M , Sharma R , Tiwari M , Karbach S , Holstein D , Martin C R , Lechleiter J D , Herman B
Published: February 2016

Caspase-2 plays an important role in apoptosis induced by several stimuli, including oxidative stress. However, the subcellular localization of caspase-2, particularly its presence in the mitochondria, is unclear. It is also not known if cytosolic caspase-2 translocates to the mitochondria to trigger the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis or if caspase-2 is constitutively present in the mitochondria that then selectively mediates this apoptotic effect. Here, we demonstrate the presence of caspase-2 in purified mitochondrial fractions from in vitro-cultured cells and in liver hepatocytes using immunoblots and confocal microscopy. We show that mitochondrial caspase-2 is functionally active by performing fluorescence resonance energy transfer analyses using a mitochondrially targeted substrate flanked by donor and acceptor fluorophores. Cell-free apoptotic assays involving recombination of nuclear, cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions from the livers of wild type and Casp2−/− mice clearly point to a direct functional role for mitochondrial caspase-2 in apoptosis. Furthermore, cytochrome c release from Casp2−/− cells is decreased as compared with controls upon treatment with agents inducing mitochondrial dysfunction. Finally, we show that Casp2−/− primary skin fibroblasts are protected from oxidants that target the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Taken together, our results demonstrate that caspase-2 exists in the mitochondria and that it is essential for mitochondrial oxidative stress-induced apoptosis.
Implementation of soft microfingers for a hMSC aggregate manipulation system
Authors: Konishi Satoshi , Shimomura Shuhei , Tajima Shuhei , Tabata Yasuhiko
Published: February 2016

This paper describes a pneumatic balloon actuator (PBA) composed of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for cellular aggregate manipulation. We evaluated the ability of the microdevice to manipulate a tiny and sensitive cellular aggregate without causing serious damage. We used human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) for the cellular aggregate. We describe the design, fabrication, characterization and operation of the soft microfingers to pinch and release a spherical hMSC aggregate (φ200 μm), and we employed a PBA to serve as an artificial muscle to drive the microfingers. A design of the microfingers in terms of dimensions, generated force and contact conditions was accomplished. The designed dimensions of a single finger were 560 μm×900 μm. In summary, we demonstrate the utility of the surface modification of a fingertip for pinching and releasing a cellular aggregate and describe a manipulation system that was constructed to drive and control the microfingers. The implemented manipulation system, which is composed of microfingers and a positioning mechanism, was tested and verified in a series of operations.
Periodic patterning of the Drosophila eye is stabilized by the diffusible activator Scabrous
Authors: Gavish Avishai , Shwartz Arkadi , Weizman Abraham , Schejter Eyal , Shilo Ben-Zion , Barkai Naama
Published: February 2016

Generation of periodic patterns is fundamental to the differentiation of multiple tissues during development. How such patterns form robustly is still unclear. The Drosophila eye comprises ∼750 units, whose crystalline order is set during differentiation of the eye imaginal disc: an activation wave sweeping across the disc is coupled to lateral inhibition, sequentially selecting pro-neural cells. Using mathematical modelling, here we show that this template-based lateral inhibition is highly sensitive to spatial variations in biochemical parameters and cell sizes. We reveal the basis of this sensitivity, and suggest that it can be overcome by assuming a short-range diffusible activator. Clonal experiments identify Scabrous, a previously implicated inhibitor, as the predicted activator. Our results reveal the mechanism by which periodic patterning in the fly eye is stabilized against spatial variations, highlighting how the need to maintain robustness shapes the design of patterning circuits.
Atypical natural killer T-cell receptor recognition of CD1d–lipid antigens
Authors: Le Nours Jérôme , Praveena T. , Pellicci Daniel G. , Gherardin Nicholas A. , Ross Fiona J. , Lim Ricky T. , Besra Gurdyal S. , Keshipeddy Santosh , Richardson Stewart K. , Howell Amy R. , Gras Stephanie , Godfrey Dale I. , Rossjohn Jamie , Uldrich Adam P.
Published: February 2016

Crucial to Natural Killer T (NKT) cell function is the interaction between their T-cell receptor (TCR) and CD1d-antigen complex. However, the diversity of the NKT cell repertoire and the ensuing interactions with CD1d-antigen remain unclear. We describe an atypical population of CD1d–α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer)-reactive human NKT cells that differ markedly from the prototypical TRAV10-TRAJ18-TRBV25-1+ type I NKT cell repertoire. These cells express a range of TCR α- and β-chains that show differential recognition of glycolipid antigens. Two atypical NKT TCRs (TRAV21-TRAJ8-TRBV7–8 and TRAV12-3-TRAJ27-TRBV6-5) bind orthogonally over the A′-pocket of CD1d, adopting distinct docking modes that contrast with the docking mode of all type I NKT TCR-CD1d-antigen complexes. Moreover, the interactions with α-GalCer differ between the type I and these atypical NKT TCRs. Accordingly, diverse NKT TCR repertoire usage manifests in varied docking strategies and specificities towards CD1d–α-GalCer and related antigens, thus providing far greater scope for diverse glycolipid antigen recognition.
Observations of narrow bipolar events reveal how lightning is initiated in thunderstorms
Authors: Rison William , Krehbiel Paul R. , Stock Michael G. , Edens Harald E. , Shao Xuan-Min , Thomas Ronald J. , Stanley Mark A. , Zhang Yang
Published: February 2016

A long-standing but fundamental question in lightning studies concerns how lightning is initiated inside storms, given the absence of physical conductors. The issue has revolved around the question of whether the discharges are initiated solely by conventional dielectric breakdown or involve relativistic runaway electron processes. Here we report observations of a relatively unknown type of discharge, called fast positive breakdown, that is the cause of high-power discharges known as narrow bipolar events. The breakdown is found to have a wide range of strengths and is the initiating event of numerous lightning discharges. It appears to be purely dielectric in nature and to consist of a system of positive streamers in a locally intense electric field region. It initiates negative breakdown at the starting location of the streamers, which leads to the ensuing flash. The observations show that many or possibly all lightning flashes are initiated by fast positive breakdown.
The presence of extra chromosomes leads to genomic instability
Authors: Passerini Verena , Ozeri-Galai Efrat , de Pagter Mirjam S. , Donnelly Neysan , Schmalbrock Sarah , Kloosterman Wigard P. , Kerem Batsheva , Storchová Zuzana
Published: February 2016

Aneuploidy is a hallmark of cancer and underlies genetic disorders characterized by severe developmental defects, yet the molecular mechanisms explaining its effects on cellular physiology remain elusive. Here we show, using a series of human cells with defined aneuploid karyotypes, that gain of a single chromosome increases genomic instability. Next-generation sequencing and SNP-array analysis reveal accumulation of chromosomal rearrangements in aneuploids, with break point junction patterns suggestive of replication defects. Trisomic and tetrasomic cells also show increased DNA damage and sensitivity to replication stress. Strikingly, we find that aneuploidy-induced genomic instability can be explained by the reduced expression of the replicative helicase MCM2-7. Accordingly, restoring near-wild-type levels of chromatin-bound MCM helicase partly rescues the genomic instability phenotypes. Thus, gain of chromosomes triggers replication stress, thereby promoting genomic instability and possibly contributing to tumorigenesis.
Correction: Corrigendum: EPPS rescues hippocampus-dependent cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice by disaggregation of amyloid-β oligomers and plaques
Authors: Kim Hye Yun , Kim Hyunjin Vincent , Jo Seonmi , Lee C. Justin , Choi Seon Young , Kim Dong Jin , Kim YoungSoo
Published: February 2016

Nature Communications 6: Article number: 8997 (2015); Published: 8 December 2015; Updated: 15 February 2016 This Article contains errors in Figs 3 and 4. In Fig. 3h, the x axis should have been labelled ‘TG’, and in Fig. 4a, labels denoting the EPPS dose for each image were inadvertently removed. The correct versions of these two figures follow.
A serum-circulating long noncoding RNA signature can discriminate between patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma and healthy controls
Authors: Wu Y , Wang Y-Q , Weng W-W , Zhang Q-Y , Yang X-Q , Gan H-L , Yang Y-S , Zhang P-P , Sun M-H , Xu M-D , Wang C-F
Published: February 2016

Serum biomarkers have not been fully incorporated into clinical use for the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The recent discovery of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which have been reported in a variety of cancer types, suggested a promising new class of biomarkers for tumour diagnosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the levels of circulating lncRNAs could be used as a tumour marker to discriminate between clear cell RCC (ccRCC) patients and healthy controls. Serum samples were collected from 71 ccRCC patients including 62 age- and sex-matched healthy controls and 8 patients with benign renal tumours. Eighty-two cancer-associated lncRNAs were assessed by reverse transcription and quantitative polymerase chain reaction in paired tissues and serum. A 5-lncRNA signature, including lncRNA-LET, PVT1, PANDAR, PTENP1 and linc00963, were identified and validated in the training set and testing set, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic curves for this serum 5-lncRNA signature were 0.900 and 0.823 for the two sets of serum samples. Moreover, five-minus-one lncRNA signatures demonstrated that none of the lncRNAs had a higher area under the curve than the others in either set. A risk model for the serum 5-lncRNA signature also determined that benign renal tumours can be distinguished from ccRCC samples. This work may facilitate the detection of ccRCC and serve as the basis for further studies of the clinical value of serum lncRNAs in maintaining surveillance and forecasting prognosis.
Strain-dependent profile of misfolded prion protein aggregates
Authors: Morales Rodrigo , Hu Ping Ping , Duran-Aniotz Claudia , Moda Fabio , Diaz-Espinoza Rodrigo , Chen Baian , Bravo-Alegria Javiera , Makarava Natallia , Baskakov Ilia V. , Soto Claudio
Published: February 2016

Prions are composed of the misfolded prion protein (PrPSc) organized in a variety of aggregates. An important question in the prion field has been to determine the identity of functional PrPSc aggregates. In this study, we used equilibrium sedimentation in sucrose density gradients to separate PrPSc aggregates from three hamster prion strains (Hyper, Drowsy, SSLOW) subjected to minimal manipulations. We show that PrPSc aggregates distribute in a wide range of arrangements and the relative proportion of each species depends on the prion strain. We observed a direct correlation between the density of the predominant PrPSc aggregates and the incubation periods for the strains studied. The relative presence of PrPSc in fractions of different sucrose densities was indicative of the protein deposits present in the brain as analyzed by histology. Interestingly, no association was found between sensitivity to proteolytic degradation and aggregation profiles. Therefore, the organization of PrP molecules in terms of the density of aggregates generated may determine some of the particular strain properties, whereas others are independent from it. Our findings may contribute to understand the mechanisms of strain variation and the role of PrPSc aggregates in prion-induced neurodegeneration.
Dairy Product, Calcium Intake and Lung Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yang Yang , Wang Xu , Yao Qinghua , Qin Liqiang , Xu Chao
Published: February 2016

The effects of dairy products on human health have been studied for years. However, the relationship between dairy products as well as calcium intake and the risk of lung cancer is still inconclusive. A total of 32 studies regarding this association were identified from the PubMed and Web of Science databases through April 1, 2015, including 12 cohort studies and 20 case-control studies. After pooling the results of individual studies, the summary RRs (relative risks) of lung cancer for the highest versus lowest intake were 1.05 (95%CI: 0.84–1.31) and 1.08 (95%CI: 0.80–1.46) for total dairy products and milk, respectively. The results on the consumption of cheese, yogurt and low-fat milk were also negative, and the RRs for total and dietary calcium intakes were 0.99 (95%CI: 0.70–1.38) and 0.85 (95%CI: 0.63–1.13), respectively. After stratifying by potential confounders, the results remained consistent in most subgroup analyses. Our study indicates that intake of dairy products or calcium was not statistically associated with the risk of lung cancer. This negative finding provides a conclusive answer to the disease association issue based on current evidence, and suggests that further efforts should be made to find other nutritional risk factors for lung cancer.
A Variable Temperature Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction Study of Colossal Magnetoresistant NdMnAsO0.95F0.05
Authors: Wildman E. J. , Mclaughlin A. C.
Published: February 2016

The recent discovery of high temperature superconductivity in Fe arsenides has invigorated research into transition metal pnictides. Colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) has recently been reported for NdMnAsO1-xFx for x = 0.05–0.08, with a maximum magnetoresistance achieved at low temperature (MR9T(3 K)) = −95%). This appears to be a novel mechanism of CMR, which is as a result of a second order phase transition in field from an insulating antiferromagnet to a semiconducting paramagnet. Here we report a variable temperature synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction study of the CMR oxypnictide NdMnAsO0.95F0.05 between 4 K–290 K. An excellent fit to the tetragonal unit cell with space group P4/nmm is obtained over the entire temperature range, with no change in crystal structure detected down to 4 K. A coupling of the lattice and magnetic order is observed, where subtle discontinuities in the temperature variation of a and the c/a ratio are apparent as the Nd spins order antiferromagnetically and the Mn moments reorient into the basal plane at TSR. The results suggest that very small changes in lattice parameters effect the coupling between lattice, electronic and magnetic degrees of freedom.
Fast quantifying collision strength index of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer coverings on the fields based on near infrared hyperspectral imaging techniques
Authors: Chen Y. M. , Lin P. , He Y. , He J. Q. , Zhang J. , Li X. L.
Published: February 2016

A novel strategy based on the near infrared hyperspectral imaging techniques and chemometrics were explored for fast quantifying the collision strength index of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAC) coverings on the fields. The reflectance spectral data of EVAC coverings was obtained by using the near infrared hyperspectral meter. The collision analysis equipment was employed to measure the collision intensity of EVAC materials. The preprocessing algorithms were firstly performed before the calibration. The algorithms of random frog and successive projection (SP) were applied to extracting the fingerprint wavebands. A correlation model between the significant spectral curves which reflected the cross-linking attributions of the inner organic molecules and the degree of collision strength was set up by taking advantage of the support vector machine regression (SVMR) approach. The SP-SVMR model attained the residual predictive deviation of 3.074, the square of percentage of correlation coefficient of 93.48% and 93.05% and the root mean square error of 1.963 and 2.091 for the calibration and validation sets, respectively, which exhibited the best forecast performance. The results indicated that the approaches of integrating the near infrared hyperspectral imaging techniques with the chemometrics could be utilized to rapidly determine the degree of collision strength of EVAC.
Atomic and electronic structure of twin growth defects in magnetite
Authors: Gilks Daniel , Nedelkoski Zlatko , Lari Leonardo , Kuerbanjiang Balati , Matsuzaki Kosuke , Susaki Tomofumi , Kepaptsoglou Demie , Ramasse Quentin , Evans Richard , McKenna Keith , Lazarov Vlado K.
Published: February 2016

We report the existence of a stable twin defect in Fe3O4 thin films. By using aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopy the atomic structure of the twin boundary has been determined. The boundary is confined to the (111) growth plane and it is non-stoichiometric due to a missing Fe octahedral plane. By first principles calculations we show that the local atomic structural configuration of the twin boundary does not change the nature of the superexchange interactions between the two Fe sublattices across the twin grain boundary. Besides decreasing the half-metallic band gap at the boundary the altered atomic stacking at the boundary does not change the overall ferromagnetic (FM) coupling between the grains.
Machine Learning Strategy for Accelerated Design of Polymer Dielectrics
Authors: Mannodi-Kanakkithodi Arun , Pilania Ghanshyam , Huan Tran Doan , Lookman Turab , Ramprasad Rampi
Published: February 2016

The ability to efficiently design new and advanced dielectric polymers is hampered by the lack of sufficient, reliable data on wide polymer chemical spaces and the difficulty of generating such data given time and computational/experimental constraints. Here, we address the issue of accelerating polymer dielectrics design by extracting learning models from data generated by accurate state-of-the-art first principles computations for polymers occupying an important part of the chemical subspace. The polymers are ‘fingerprinted’ as simple, easily attainable numerical representations, which are mapped to the properties of interest using a machine learning algorithm to develop an on-demand property prediction model. Further, a genetic algorithm is utilised to optimise polymer constituent blocks in an evolutionary manner, thus directly leading to the design of polymers with given target properties. While this philosophy of learning to make instant predictions and design is demonstrated here for the example of polymer dielectrics, it is equally applicable to other classes of materials as well.
Perilipin2 plays a positive role in adipocytes during lipolysis by escaping proteasomal degradation
Authors: Takahashi Yu , Shinoda Akihiro , Kamada Haruhiko , Shimizu Makoto , Inoue Jun , Sato Ryuichiro
Published: February 2016

Perilipin2 (Plin2), also known as adipose differentiation-related protein (ADRP), or adipophilin, is a member of the PAT family involved in lipid droplet (LD) formation in the liver and peripheral tissues. Although Plin2 was originally identified as a highly expressed gene in adipocytes, its physiological role in mature adipocytes is largely unknown. In this report, we investigated the regulation of Plin2 expression and its function in differentiated adipocytes of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Plin2 mRNA levels increased during adipocyte differentiation whereas protein levels did not. Plin2 was degraded through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway but was inhibited by lipolytic inducers. Furthermore, lentiviral-mediated Plin2 knockdown attenuated lipolysis in differentiated MEFs in a time-dependent manner. Oleic acid-induced LD formation enhanced Plin2 protein stability when it was localized to LDs. Furthermore, a mutational analysis revealed that the ubiquitination and degradation of Plin2 required both the second and third alanine in the N-terminal region. These results suggest that Plin2 is degraded in the cytosol in its N-terminal amino acid sequence-dependent manner and instead becomes stable when localized on LDs. Our findings highlight the relationship between protein stability and a previously unnoticed function of Plin2 during lipolysis in adipocytes.
Apocynin and ebselen reduce influenza A virus-induced lung inflammation in cigarette smoke-exposed mice
Authors: Oostwoud L. C. , Gunasinghe P. , Seow H. J. , Ye J. M. , Selemidis S. , Bozinovski S. , Vlahos R.
Published: February 2016

Influenza A virus (IAV) infections are a common cause of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Oxidative stress is increased in COPD, IAV-induced lung inflammation and AECOPD. Therefore, we investigated whether targeting oxidative stress with the Nox2 oxidase inhibitors and ROS scavengers, apocynin and ebselen could ameliorate lung inflammation in a mouse model of AECOPD. Male BALB/c mice were exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) generated from 9 cigarettes per day for 4 days. On day 5, mice were infected with 1 × 104.5 PFUs of the IAV Mem71 (H3N1). BALF inflammation, viral titers, superoxide production and whole lung cytokine, chemokine and protease mRNA expression were assessed 3 and 7 days post infection. IAV infection resulted in a greater increase in BALF inflammation in mice that had been exposed to CS compared to non-smoking mice. This increase in BALF inflammation in CS-exposed mice caused by IAV infection was associated with elevated gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and proteases, compared to CS alone mice. Apocynin and ebselen significantly reduced the exacerbated BALF inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokine, chemokine and protease expression caused by IAV infection in CS mice. Targeting oxidative stress using apocynin and ebselen reduces IAV-induced lung inflammation in CS-exposed mice and may be therapeutically exploited to alleviate AECOPD.
Macrophages programmed by apoptotic cells inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition in lung alveolar epithelial cells via PGE2, PGD2, and HGF
Authors: Yoon Young-So , Lee Ye-Ji , Choi Youn-Hee , Park Young Mi , Kang Jihee Lee
Published: February 2016

Apoptotic cell clearance results in the release of growth factors and the action of signaling molecules involved in tissue homeostasis maintenance. Here, we investigated whether and how macrophages programmed by apoptotic cells inhibit the TGF-β1-induced Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in lung alveolar epithelial cells. Treatment with conditioned medium derived from macrophages exposed to apoptotic cells, but not viable or necrotic cells, inhibited TGF-β1-induced EMT, including loss of E-cadherin, synthesis of N-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin, and induction of EMT-activating transcription factors, such as Snail1/2, Zeb1/2, and Twist1. Exposure of macrophages to cyclooxygenase (COX-2) inhibitors (NS-398 and COX-2 siRNA) or RhoA/Rho kinase inhibitors (Y-27632 and RhoA siRNA) and LA-4 cells to antagonists of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor (EP4 [AH-23848]), PGD2 receptors (DP1 [BW-A868C] and DP2 [BAY-u3405]), or the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor c-Met (PHA-665752), reversed EMT inhibition by the conditioned medium. Additionally, we found that apoptotic cell instillation inhibited bleomycin-mediated EMT in primary mouse alveolar type II epithelial cells in vivo. Our data suggest a new model for epithelial cell homeostasis, by which the anti-EMT programming of macrophages by apoptotic cells may control the progressive fibrotic reaction via the production of potent paracrine EMT inhibitors.
Rapid Hydrogen Peroxide release from the coral Stylophora pistillata during feeding and in response to chemical and physical stimuli
Authors: Armoza-Zvuloni Rachel , Schneider Avi , Sher Daniel , Shaked Yeala
Published: February 2016

Corals make use of different chemical compounds during interactions with prey, predators and aggressors. Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) is produced and released by a wide range of organisms as part of their defense against grazers or pathogens. In coral reefs, the large fluxes and relatively long half-life of H2O2, make it a potentially important info-chemical or defense molecule. Here we describe a previously unstudied phenomenon of rapid H2O2 release from the reef-building coral Stylophora pistillata during feeding on zooplankton and in response to chemical and physical stimuli. Following stimuli, both symbiotic and bleached corals were found to rapidly release H2O2 to the surrounding water for a short period of time (few minutes). The H2O2 release was restricted to the site of stimulus and an increase in physical stress and chemical stimuli concentration resulted in elevated H2O2 release. Omission of calcium (a key regulator of exocytotic processes) from the experimental medium inhibited H2O2 release. Hence we suggest that H2O2 is actively released in response to stimuli, rather than leaking passively from the coral tissue. We estimate that at the site of stimulus H2O2 can reach concentrations potentially high enough to deter predators or motile, potentially pathogenic, bacteria.
The Role of Physical Stabilization in Whole Blood Preservation
Authors: Wong Keith H. K. , Sandlin Rebecca D. , Carey Thomas R. , Miller Kathleen L. , Shank Aaron T. , Oklu Rahmi , Maheswaran Shyamala , Haber Daniel A. , Irimia Daniel , Stott Shannon L. , Toner Mehmet
Published: February 2016

The rapid degradation of blood ex vivo imposes logistical limitations on the utilization of blood-borne cells in medical diagnostics and scientific investigations. A fundamental but overlooked aspect in the storage of this fluid tissue is blood settling, which induces physical stress and compaction, aggregates blood cells and causes collateral damage due to leukocyte activation. Here we show that the polymer Ficoll 70 kDa stabilized blood samples and prevented blood settling over the course of 72 hours, primarily by inhibiting depletion-mediated red blood cell aggregation. Physical stabilization decreased echinocyte formation, improved leukocyte viability and inhibited the release of neutrophil elastase—a marker of neutrophil extracellular trap formation. In addition, Ficoll-stabilized blood was compatible with common leukocyte enrichment techniques including red blood cell lysis and immunomagnetic purification. This study showed for the first time that blood settling can be prevented using polymers and has implications in diagnostics.
Drug testing and flow cytometry analysis on a large number of uniform sized tumor spheroids using a microfluidic device
Authors: Patra Bishnubrata , Peng Chien-Chung , Liao Wei-Hao , Lee Chau-Hwang , Tung Yi-Chung
Published: February 2016

Three-dimensional (3D) tumor spheroid possesses great potential as an in vitro model to improve predictive capacity for pre-clinical drug testing. In this paper, we combine advantages of flow cytometry and microfluidics to perform drug testing and analysis on a large number (5000) of uniform sized tumor spheroids. The spheroids are formed, cultured and treated with drugs inside a microfluidic device. The spheroids can then be harvested from the device without tedious operation. Due to the ample cell numbers, the spheroids can be dissociated into single cells for flow cytometry analysis. Flow cytometry provides statistical information in single cell resolution that makes it feasible to better investigate drug functions on the cells in more in vivo-like 3D formation. In the experiments, human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) are exploited to form tumor spheroids within the microfluidic device and three anti-cancer drugs: Cisplatin, Resveratrol and Tirapazamine (TPZ) and their combinations are tested on the tumor spheroids with two different sizes. The experimental results suggest the cell culture format (2D monolayer vs. 3D spheroid) and spheroid size play critical roles in drug responses and also demonstrate the advantages of bridging the two techniques in pharmaceutical drug screening applications.
Probing the phenomenon of trained immunity in invertebrates during a transgenerational study, using brine shrimp Artemia as a model system
Authors: Norouzitallab Parisa , Baruah Kartik , Biswas Priyanka , Vanrompay Daisy , Bossier Peter
Published: February 2016

The invertebrate’s innate immune system was reported to show some form of adaptive features, termed trained immunity. However, the memory characteristics of innate immune system and the mechanisms behind such phenomena remain unclear. Using the invertebrate model Artemia, we verified the possibility or impossibility of trained immunity, examining the presence or absence of enduring memory against homologous and heterologous antigens (Vibrio spp.) during a transgenerational study. We also determined the mechanisms behind such phenomenon. Our results showed the occurrence of memory and partial discrimination in Artemia’s immune system, as manifested by increased resistance, for three successive generations, of the progenies of Vibrio-exposed ancestors towards a homologous bacterial strain, rather than to a heterologous strain. This increased resistance phenotype was associated with elevated levels of hsp70 and hmgb1 signaling molecules and alteration in the expression of key innate immunity-related genes. Our results also showed stochastic pattern in the acetylation and methylation levels of H4 and H3K4me3 histones, respectively, in the progenies whose ancestors were challenged. Overall results suggest that innate immune responses in invertebrates have the capacity to be trained and epigenetic reprogramming of (selected) innate immune effectors is likely to have central place in the mechanisms leading to trained immunity.
Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor regulates the visual cycle genes Rlbp1 and Rdh5 in the retinal pigment epithelium
Authors: Wen Bin , Li Shuang , Li Huirong , Chen Yu , Ma Xiaoyin , Wang Jing , Lu Fan , Qu Jia , Hou Ling
Published: February 2016

Regeneration of the visual pigment by cells of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is fundamental to vision. Here we show that the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, MITF, which plays a central role in the development and function of RPE cells, regulates the expression of two visual cycle genes, Rlbp1 which encodes retinaldehyde binding protein-1 (RLBP1) and Rdh5, which encodes retinol dehydrogenase-5 (RDH5). First, we found that Rlbp1 and Rdh5 are downregulated in optic cups and presumptive RPEs of Mitf-deficient mouse embryos. Second, experimental manipulation of MITF levels in human RPE cells in culture leads to corresponding modulations of the endogenous levels of RLBP1 and RDH5. Third, the retinal degeneration associated with the disruption of the visual cycle in Mitf-deficient mice can be partially corrected both structurally and functionally by an exogenous supply of 9-cis-retinal. We conclude that the expression of Rlbp1 and Rdh5 critically depends on functional Mitf in the RPE and suggest that MITF has an important role in controlling retinoid processing in the RPE.
Detection of Brownian Torque in a Magnetically-Driven Rotating Microsystem
Authors: Romodina Maria N. , Lyubin Evgeny V. , Fedyanin Andrey A.
Published: February 2016

Thermal fluctuations significantly affect the behavior of microscale systems rotating in shear flow, such as microvortexes, microbubbles, rotating micromotors, microactuators and other elements of lab-on-a-chip devices. The influence of Brownian torque on the motion of individual magnetic microparticles in a rotating magnetic field is experimentally determined using optical tweezers. Rotational Brownian motion induces the flattening of the breakdown transition between the synchronous and asynchronous modes of microparticle rotation. The experimental findings regarding microparticle rotation in the presence of Brownian torque are compared with the results of numerical Brownian dynamics simulations.
Risk Factors for Steatorrhea in Chronic Pancreatitis: A Cohort of 2,153 Patients
Authors: Li Bai-Rong , Pan Jun , Du Ting-Ting , Liao Zhuan , Ye Bo , Zou Wen-Bin , Chen Hui , Ji Jun-Tao , Zheng Zhao-Hong , Wang Dan , Lin Jin-Huan , Ning Shou-Bin , Hu Liang-Hao , Li Zhao-Shen
Published: February 2016

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of and determine the risk factors for steatorrhea in chronic pancreatitis (CP). It was based on analysis of both retrospectively and prospectively acquired database for CP patients admitted to our center from January 2000 to December 2013. Demographic data, course of disease, medical history and follow-up evaluations of patients were documented in detail. Cumulative rate of steatorrhea was calculated by using the Kaplan–Meier method. For risk factor analysis, multivariate analysis by Cox proportional hazards regression model was performed. A total of 2,153 CP patients were included with a mean follow-up duration of 9.3 years. Approximately 14% (291/2,153) of CP patients presented with steatorrhea at diagnosis of CP. Cumulative rates of steatorrhea at 1, 5, 10 and 20 years after diagnosis of CP were 4.27% (95% CI: 3.42%–5.34%), 12.53% (95% CI: 10.74%–14.59%), 20.44% (95% CI: 17.37%–23.98%) and 30.82% (95% CI: 20.20%–45.21%), respectively. Male gender (HR = 1.771, p = 0.004), diabetes (HR = 1.923, p < 0.001), alcohol abuse (HR = 1.503, p = 0.025) and pancreaticoduodenectomy (HR = 2.901, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for steatorrhea while CP in adolescents (HR = 0.433, p = 0.009) was a protective factor. In conclusion, male gender, adult, diabetes, alcohol abuse and pancreaticoduodenectomy lead to increased risk of steatorrhea in CP patients.
Evidence from Multiple Species that Spider Silk Glue Component ASG2 is a Spidroin
Authors: Collin Matthew A. , Clarke Thomas H. , Ayoub Nadia A. , Hayashi Cheryl Y.
Published: February 2016

Spiders in the superfamily Araneoidea produce viscous glue from aggregate silk glands. Aggregate glue coats prey-capture threads and hampers the escape of prey from webs, thereby increasing the foraging success of spiders. cDNAs for Aggregate Spider Glue 1 (ASG1) and 2 (ASG2) have been previously described from the golden orb-weaver, Nephila clavipes and Western black widow, Latrodectus hesperus. To further investigate aggregate glues, we assembled ASG1 and ASG2 from genomic target capture libraries constructed from three species of cob-web weavers and three species of orb-web weavers, all araneoids. We show that ASG1 is unlikely to be a glue, but rather is part of a widespread arthropod gene family, the peritrophic matrix proteins. For ASG2, we demonstrate its remarkable architectural and sequence similarities to spider silk fibroins, indicating that ASG2 is a member of the spidroin gene family. Thus, spidroins have diversified into glues in addition to task-specific, high performance fibers.