bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ASEAN Environmental Cooperation, Transnational Private Governance, and the Haze: Overcoming the ‘Territorial Trap’ of State-Based Governance?
Authors: Nesadurai Helen E.S.
Published: November 2016

Private sustainability standards for palm oil – RSPO certification and especially the POIG/No Deforestation standards – show more promise than ASEAN in addressing the political-economic drivers of the fires/haze in Indonesia. ‘Sovereignty-free’ private actors – global NGOs, philanthropic foundations, and social investors – harnessed transnational markets and used consumer product multinationals and Asian palm oil traders/processers as intermediaries to reach oil palm growers previously shielded from private regulation. Exclusion of state actors gave regulatory entrepreneurs a freer hand to institute more stringent standards. This contrasts with ASEAN regional governance where state control of regional governance deflects global and local pressure for change. There are limitations, however, to the reach of voluntary private standards, which cannot address irresponsible cultivation practices in illegal supply chains and those catering to the domestic market, despite NGOs and other private regulatory entrepreneurs acting as ‘functional equivalents’ of state authorities in driving change. Nevertheless, palm oil's economic importance to Indonesia and the global market transformations underway mean that global private standards have a first-mover advantage. However, central state actors have denounced private standards as intrusions on national sovereignty. While private standards have sparked national conversations on sustainability, the political bargaining between state authority, private regulators, and their proponents is only just beginning.
How Do People Share Their Positive Events?
Authors: Palmer Cara A. , Ramsey Meagan A. , Morey Jennifer N. , Gentzler Amy L.
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Research suggests that sharing positive events with others is beneficial for well-being, yet little is known about how positive events are shared with others and who is most likely to share their positive events. The current study expanded on previous research by investigating how positive events are shared and individual differences in how people share these events. Participants (N = 251) reported on their likelihood to share positive events in three ways: capitalizing (sharing with close others), bragging (sharing with someone who may become jealous or upset), and mass-sharing (sharing with many people at once using communication technology) across a range of positive scenarios. Using cluster analysis, five meaningful profiles of sharing patterns emerged. These profiles were associated with gender, Big Five personality traits, narcissism, and empathy. Individuals who tended to brag when they shared their positive events were more likely to be men, reported less agreeableness, less conscientiousness, and less empathy, whereas those who tended to brag and mass-share reported the highest levels of narcissism. These results have important theoretical and practical implications for the growing body of research on sharing positive events.
Moral Elevation and Moral Beauty: A Review of the Empirical Literature
Authors: Pohling Rico , Diessner Rhett
Published: November 2016

Moral elevation is defined as the emotional response to witnessing acts of moral beauty. Studies have found that elevation entails pleasant feelings of warmth in the chest, feeling uplifted, moved, and optimistic about humanity. Elevation motivates affiliation with others as well as moral action tendencies. The main goal of this review was to gather and organize the empirical findings from the last 16 years of elevation research with regard to psychological and physiological characteristics, motivational tendencies, behavioral outcomes, neuronal mechanisms, moderators, and correlates of elevation. A secondary goal was to examine whether elevation is congruent with Fredrickson's (2001) broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. It was concluded that there is strong evidence that elevation broadens the thought-action repertoire and relatively weak evidence that it builds lasting resources. Potential evolutionary functions, the forms of measurement of elevation, the process of how elevation is triggered, practical applications and directions for future research were also addressed.
Liver-specific ATP-citrate lyase inhibition by bempedoic acid decreases LDL-C and attenuates atherosclerosis
Authors: Pinkosky Stephen L. , Newton Roger S. , Day Emily A. , Ford Rebecca J. , Lhotak Sarka , Austin Richard C. , Birch Carolyn M. , Smith Brennan K. , Filippov Sergey , Groot Pieter H.E. , Steinberg Gregory R. , Lalwani Narendra D.
Published: November 2016

Despite widespread use of statins to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and associated atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk, many patients do not achieve sufficient LDL-C lowering due to muscle-related side effects, indicating novel treatment strategies are required. Bempedoic acid (ETC-1002) is a small molecule intended to lower LDL-C in hypercholesterolemic patients, and has been previously shown to modulate both ATP-citrate lyase (ACL) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity in rodents. However, its mechanism for LDL-C lowering, efficacy in models of atherosclerosis and relevance in humans are unknown. Here we show that ETC-1002 is a prodrug that requires activation by very long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase-1 (ACSVL1) to modulate both targets, and that inhibition of ACL leads to LDL receptor upregulation, decreased LDL-C and attenuation of atherosclerosis, independently of AMPK. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the absence of ACSVL1 in skeletal muscle provides a mechanistic basis for ETC-1002 to potentially avoid the myotoxicity associated with statin therapy.
Atomistic characterization of the active-site solvation dynamics of a model photocatalyst
Authors: van Driel Tim B. , Kjær Kasper S. , Hartsock Robert W. , Dohn Asmus O. , Harlang Tobias , Chollet Matthieu , Christensen Morten , Gawelda Wojciech , Henriksen Niels E. , Kim Jong Goo , Haldrup Kristoffer , Kim Kyung Hwan , Ihee Hyotcherl , Kim Jeongho , Lemke Henrik , Sun Zheng , Sundström Villy , Zhang Wenkai , Zhu Diling , Møller Klaus B. , Nielsen Martin M. , Gaffney Kelly J.
Published: November 2016

The interactions between the reactive excited state of molecular photocatalysts and surrounding solvent dictate reaction mechanisms and pathways, but are not readily accessible to conventional optical spectroscopic techniques. Here we report an investigation of the structural and solvation dynamics following excitation of a model photocatalytic molecular system [Ir2(dimen)4]2+, where dimen is para-diisocyanomenthane. The time-dependent structural changes in this model photocatalyst, as well as the changes in the solvation shell structure, have been measured with ultrafast diffuse X-ray scattering and simulated with Born-Oppenheimer Molecular Dynamics. Both methods provide direct access to the solute–solvent pair distribution function, enabling the solvation dynamics around the catalytically active iridium sites to be robustly characterized. Our results provide evidence for the coordination of the iridium atoms by the acetonitrile solvent and demonstrate the viability of using diffuse X-ray scattering at free-electron laser sources for studying the dynamics of photocatalysis.
Probing atomic structure and Majorana wavefunctions in mono-atomic Fe chains on superconducting Pb surface
Authors: Pawlak Rémy , Kisiel Marcin , Klinovaja Jelena , Meier Tobias , Kawai Shigeki , Glatzel Thilo , Loss Daniel , Meyer Ernst
Published: November 2016

Motivated by the striking promise of quantum computation, Majorana bound states (MBSs) in solid-state systems have attracted wide attention in recent years. In particular, the wavefunction localisation of MBSs is a key feature and is crucial for their future implementation as qubits. Here we investigate the spatial and electronic characteristics of topological superconducting chains of iron atoms on the surface of Pb(110) by combining scanning tunnelling microscopy and atomic force microscopy. We demonstrate that the Fe chains are mono-atomic, structured in a linear manner and exhibit zero-bias conductance peaks at their ends, which we interpret as signature for a MBS. Spatially resolved conductance maps of the atomic chains reveal that the MBSs are well localised at the chain ends (≲25 nm), with two localisation lengths as predicted by theory. Our observation lends strong support to use MBSs in Fe chains as qubits for quantum-computing devices.
Treatment with FGFR2-IIIc monoclonal antibody suppresses weight gain and adiposity in KKAy mice
Authors: Nonogaki K , Kaji T , Yamazaki T , Murakami Mari
Published: November 2016

Expression of β-Kotho, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-1c and 2c, which bind FGF21, is decreased in the white adipose tissue of obese mice. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of FGFR2c in the development of obesity and diabetes in KKAy mice. Treatment with mouse monoclonal FGFR2-IIIc antibody (0.5 mg kg−1) significantly suppressed body weight gain and epididymal white adipose tissue weight in individually housed KKAy mice while having no effect on daily food intake. In addition, treatment with FGFR2-IIIc antibody significantly increased plasma-free fatty acid levels while having no effect on blood glucose or plasma FGF21 levels. Moreover, treatment with FGFR2-IIIc antibody had no significant effect on the expression of uncoupling protein-1, uncoupling protein-2 or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α in the epididymal white adipose tissue. The treatment with FGFR2-IIIc antibody had no significant effects on daily food intake and body weight gain in individually housed KK mice. These findings suggest that FGFR2-IIIc upregulates the adiposity induced by social isolation in KKAy mice, and that decreased expression and/or function of FGFR2c might be a compensatory response to enhanced adiposity. Inhibition of FGFR2-IIIc function might be a novel therapeutic approach for obesity.
The link between soda intake and asthma: science points to the high-fructose corn syrup, not the preservatives: a commentary
Authors: DeChristopher L R , Uribarri J , Tucker K L
Published: November 2016

Recent research conducted by investigators at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion—a division of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—found that 'Regular-Soda Intake, Independent of Weight Status, is Associated with Asthma among US High School Students.' On the basis of their review of prior studies, researchers hypothesized that the association may be due to high intake of sodium benzoate, a commonly used preservative in US soft drinks. But a closer look at these prior research studies suggests that there is no strong scientific evidence that the preservatives in US soft drinks are associated with asthma. Importantly, other recent research suggests that the association may be with the unpaired (excess free) fructose in high fructose corn syrup.
Superstrength of nanograined steel with nanoscale intermetallic precipitates transformed from shock-compressed martensitic steel
Authors: Yu Hailiang , Yan Ming , Lu Cheng , Tieu Anh Kiet , Li Huijun , Zhu Qiang , Godbole Ajit , Li Jintao , Su Lihong , Kong Charlie
Published: November 2016

An increasing number of industrial applications need superstrength steels. It is known that refined grains and nanoscale precipitates can increase strength. The hardest martensitic steel reported to date is C0.8 steel, whose nanohardness can reach 11.9 GPa through incremental interstitial solid solution strengthening. Here we report a nanograined (NG) steel dispersed with nanoscale precipitates which has an extraordinarily high hardness of 19.1 GPa. The NG steel (shock-compressed Armox 500T steel) was obtained under these conditions: high strain rate of 1.2 μs−1, high temperature rise rate of 600 Kμs−1 and high pressure of 17 GPa. The mean grain size achieved was 39 nm and reinforcing precipitates were indexed in the NG steel. The strength of the NG steel is expected to be ~3950 MPa. The discovery of the NG steel offers a general pathway for designing new advanced steel materials with exceptional hardness and excellent strength.
Vertical Magnetic Separation of Circulating Tumor Cells for Somatic Genomic-Alteration Analysis in Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Yoo Chang Eun , Park Jong-Myeon , Moon Hui-Sung , Joung Je-Gun , Son Dae-Soon , Jeon Hyo-Jeong , Kim Yeon Jeong , Han Kyung-Yeon , Sun Jong-Mu , Park Keunchil , Park Donghyun , Park Woong-Yang
Published: November 2016

Efficient isolation and genetic analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from cancer patients’ blood is a critical step for clinical applications using CTCs. Here, we report a novel CTC-isolation method and subsequent genetic analysis. CTCs from the blood were complexed with magnetic beads coated with antibodies against the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and separated vertically on a density-gradient medium in a modified well-plate. The recovery rate of model CTCs was reasonable and the cell purity was enhanced dramatically when compared to those parameters obtained using a conventional magnetic isolation method. CTCs were recovered from an increased number of patient samples using our magnetic system vs. the FDA-approved CellSearch system (100% vs. 33%, respectively). In 8 of 13 cases, targeted deep sequencing analysis of CTCs revealed private point mutations present in CTCs but not in matched tumor samples and white blood cells (WBCs), which was also validated by droplet digital PCR. Copy-number alterations in CTCs were also observed in the corresponding tumor tissues for some patients. In this report, we showed that CTCs isolated by the EpCAM-based method had complex and diverse genetic features that were similar to those of tumor samples in some, but not all, cases.
Metabolic response induced by parasitic plant-fungus interactions hinder amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism in the host
Authors: Lee Dong-Kyu , Ahn Soohyun , Cho Hae Yoon , Yun Hye Young , Park Jeong Hill , Lim Johan , Lee Jeongmi , Kwon Sung Won
Published: November 2016

Infestation by the biotrophic pathogen Gymnosporangium asiaticum can be devastating for plant of the family Rosaceae. However, the phytopathology of this process has not been thoroughly elucidated. Using a metabolomics approach, we discovered the intrinsic activities that induce disease symptoms after fungal invasion in terms of microbe-induced metabolic responses. Through metabolic pathway enrichment and mapping, we found that the host altered its metabolite levels, resulting in accumulation of tetrose and pentose sugar alcohols, in response to this fungus. We then used a multiple linear regression model to evaluate the effect of the interaction between this abnormal accumulation of sugar alcohol and the group variable (control/parasitism). The results revealed that this accumulation resulted in deficiency in the supply of specific sugars, which led to a lack of amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism. Halting this metabolism could hamper pivotal functions in the plant host, including cell wall synthesis and lesion repair. In conclusion, our findings indicate that altered metabolic responses that occur during fungal parasitism can cause deficiency in substrates in pivotal pathways and thereby trigger pathological symptoms.
Caterpillar-induced plant volatiles attract conspecific adults in nature
Authors: El-Sayed Ashraf M. , Knight Alan L. , Byers John A. , Judd Gary J. R. , Suckling David M.
Published: November 2016

Plants release volatiles in response to caterpillar feeding that attract natural enemies of the herbivores, a tri-trophic interaction which has been considered an indirect plant defence against herbivores. The caterpillar-induced plant volatiles have been reported to repel or attract conspecific adult herbivores. To date however, no volatile signals that either repel or attract conspecific adults under field conditions have been chemically identified. Apple seedlings uniquely released seven compounds including acetic acid, acetic anhydride, benzyl alcohol, benzyl nitrile, indole, 2-phenylethanol, and (E)-nerolidol only when infested by larvae of the light brown apple moth,Epiphyas postvittana. In field tests in New Zealand, a blend of two of these, benzyl nitrile and acetic acid, attracted a large number of conspecific male and female adult moths. In North America, male and female adults of the tortricid, oblique-banded leafroller,Choristoneura rosaceana, were most attracted to a blend of 2-phenylethanol and acetic acid. Both sexes of the eye-spotted bud moth,Spilonota ocellana, were highly attracted to a blend of benzyl nitrile and acetic acid. This study provides the first identification of caterpillar-induced plant volatiles that attract conspecific adult herbivores under natural conditions, challenging the expectation of herbivore avoidance of these induced volatiles.
Nanomolar oligomerization and selective co-aggregation of α-synuclein pathogenic mutants revealed by single-molecule fluorescence
Authors: Sierecki Emma , Giles Nichole , Bowden Quill , Polinkovsky Mark E. , Steinbeck Janina , Arrioti Nicholas , Rahman Diya , Bhumkar Akshay , Nicovich Philip R. , Ross Ian , Parton Robert G. , Böcking Till , Gambin Yann
Published: November 2016

Protein aggregation is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases, notably Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies, abnormal aggregates mainly composed of α-synuclein. Moreover, cases of familial Parkinson’s disease have been linked to mutations in α-synuclein. In this study, we compared the behavior of wild-type (WT) α-synuclein and five of its pathological mutants (A30P, E46K, H50Q, G51D and A53T). To this end, single-molecule fluorescence detection was coupled to cell-free protein expression to measure precisely the oligomerization of proteins without purification, denaturation or labelling steps. In these conditions, we could detect the formation of oligomeric and pre-fibrillar species at very short time scale and low micromolar concentrations. The pathogenic mutants surprisingly segregated into two classes: one group forming large aggregates and fibrils while the other tending to form mostly oligomers. Strikingly, co-expression experiments reveal that members from the different groups do not generally interact with each other, both at the fibril and monomer levels. Together, this data paints a completely different picture of α-synuclein aggregation, with two possible pathways leading to the development of fibrils.
Down-regulation of coasy, the gene associated with NBIA-VI, reduces Bmp signaling, perturbs dorso-ventral patterning and alters neuronal development in zebrafish
Authors: Khatri Deepak , Zizioli Daniela , Tiso Natascia , Facchinello Nicola , Vezzoli Sara , Gianoncelli Alessandra , Memo Maurizio , Monti Eugenio , Borsani Giuseppe , Finazzi Dario
Published: November 2016

Mutations in Pantothenate kinase 2 and Coenzyme A (CoA) synthase (COASY), genes involved in CoA biosynthesis, are associated with rare neurodegenerative disorders with brain iron accumulation. We showed that zebrafish pank2 gene plays an essential role in brain and vasculature development. Now we extended our study to coasy. The gene has high level of sequence identity with the human ortholog and is ubiquitously expressed from the earliest stages of development. The abrogation of its expression led to strong reduction of CoA content, high lethality and a phenotype resembling to that of dorsalized mutants. Lower doses of morpholino resulted in a milder phenotype, with evident perturbation in neurogenesis and formation of vascular arborization; the dorso-ventral patterning was severely affected, the expression of bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) receptors and activity were decreased, while cell death increased. These features specifically correlated with the block in CoA biosynthesis and were rescued by the addition of CoA to fish water and the overexpression of the human wild-type, but not mutant gene. These results confirm the absolute requirement for adequate levels of CoA for proper neural and vascular development in zebrafish and point to the Bmp pathway as a possible molecular connection underlining the observed phenotype.
Selected Biomarkers Revealed Potential Skin Toxicity Caused by Certain Copper Compounds
Authors: Li Hairui , Toh Pei Zhen , Tan Jia Yao , Zin Melvin T. , Lee Chi-Ying , Li Bo , Leolukman Melvina , Bao Hongqian , Kang Lifeng
Published: November 2016

Copper is an essential mineral and plays important roles in skin growth and activity. Copper delivery through skin can provide beneficial effects but its potential to induce skin irritation reactions is often overlooked. Data on dermal toxicity caused by copper compounds is scant. Some recognizedin vitroskin toxicity methods are unsuitable for all metal compounds. Here, we employ a keratinocyte-based model and evaluated the skin irritation potential of copper compounds at cellular, genomic and proteomic levels. We determined cell viability and cytotoxicity by using tetrazolium reduction assay and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, performed real-time PCR and protein quantification to assess the expression of biomarkers after treating cells with copper peptide (GHK-Cu), copper chloride (CuCl2) and copper acetate (Cu(OAc)2). These copper compounds exhibited different irritancy potentials at the same treatment concentrations. GHK-Cu was not cytotoxic and did not induce any significant change in the expression levels of various skin irritation-related biomarkers. IL-1α and IL-8, HSPA1A and FOSL1 were significantly upregulated following 24-h treatment with CuCl2and Cu(OAc)2at 58 and 580 μM without concomitant inhibition in cell viability. GHK-Cu has a low potential of inducing skin irritation and therefore provides a safer alternative for the delivery of copper through skin.
Parity–time-symmetric circular Bragg lasers: a proposal and analysis
Authors: Gu Jiahua , Xi Xiang , Ma Jingwen , Yu Zejie , Sun Xiankai
Published: November 2016

We propose a new type of semiconductor lasers by implementing the concept of parity–time symmetry in a two-dimensional circular Bragg grating structure, where both the real and imaginary parts of the refractive index are modulated along the radial direction. The laser modal properties are analyzed with a transfer-matrix method and are verified with numerical simulation of a practical design. Compared with conventional distributed-feedback lasers with modulation of only the real part of refractive index, the parity–time-symmetric circular Bragg lasers feature reduced threshold and enhanced modal discrimination, which in combination with the intrinsic circularly symmetric, large emission aperture are clear advantages in applications that require mode-hop-free, high-power, single-mode laser operation.
Stress Wave Propagation in Two-dimensional Buckyball Lattice
Authors: Xu Jun , Zheng Bowen
Published: November 2016

Orderly arrayed granular crystals exhibit extraordinary capability to tune stress wave propagation. Granular system of higher dimension renders many more stress wave patterns, showing its great potential for physical and engineering applications. At nanoscale, one-dimensionally arranged buckyball (C60) system has shown the ability to support solitary wave. In this paper, stress wave behaviors of two-dimensional buckyball (C60) lattice are investigated based on square close packing and hexagonal close packing. We show that the square close packed system supports highly directional Nesterenko solitary waves along initially excited chains and hexagonal close packed system tends to distribute the impulse and dissipates impact exponentially. Results of numerical calculations based on a two-dimensional nonlinear spring model are in a good agreement with the results of molecular dynamics simulations. This work enhances the understanding of wave properties and allows manipulations of nanoscale lattice and novel design of shock mitigation and nanoscale energy harvesting devices.
Dendritic cell function and pathogen-specific T cell immunity are inhibited in mice administered levonorgestrel prior to intranasal Chlamydia trachomatis infection
Authors: Quispe Calla Nirk E. , Vicetti Miguel Rodolfo D. , Mei Ao , Fan Shumin , Gilmore Jocelyn R. , Cherpes Thomas L.
Published: November 2016

The growing popularity of levonorgestrel (LNG)-releasing intra-uterine systems for long-acting reversible contraception provides strong impetus to define immunomodulatory properties of this exogenous progestin. In initial in vitro studies herein, we found LNG significantly impaired activation of human dendritic cell (DCs) and their capacity to promote allogeneic T cell proliferation. In follow-up studies in a murine model of intranasal Chlamydia trachomatis infection, we analogously found that LNG treatment prior to infection dramatically reduced CD40 expression in DCs isolated from draining lymph nodes at 2 days post infection (dpi). At 12 dpi, we also detected significantly fewer CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the lungs of LNG-treated mice. This inhibition of DC activation and T cell expansion in LNG-treated mice also delayed chlamydial clearance and the resolution of pulmonary inflammation. Conversely, administering agonist anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody to LNG-treated mice at 1 dpi restored lung T cell numbers and chlamydial burden at 12 dpi to levels seen in infected controls. Together, these studies reveal that LNG suppresses DC activation and function, and inhibits formation of pathogen-specific T cell immunity. They also highlight the need for studies that define in vivo effects of LNG use on human host response to microbial pathogens.
Host-derived extracellular RNA promotes adhesion of Streptococcus pneumoniae to endothelial and epithelial cells
Authors: Zakrzewicz Dariusz , Bergmann Simone , Didiasova Miroslava , Giaimo Benedetto Daniele , Borggrefe Tilman , Mieth Maren , Hocke Andreas C. , Lochnit Guenter , Schaefer Liliana , Hammerschmidt Sven , Preissner Klaus T. , Wygrecka Malgorzata
Published: November 2016

Streptococcus pneumoniaeis the most frequent cause of community-acquired pneumonia. The infection process involves bacterial cell surface receptors, which interact with host extracellular matrix components to facilitate colonization and dissemination of bacteria. Here, we investigated the role of host-derived extracellular RNA (eRNA) in the process of pneumococcal alveolar epithelial cell infection. Our study demonstrates that eRNA dose-dependently increasedS. pneumoniaeinvasion of alveolar epithelial cells. Extracellular enolase (Eno), a plasminogen (Plg) receptor, was identified as a novel eRNA-binding protein onS. pneumoniaesurface, and six Eno eRNA-binding sites including a C-terminal 15 amino acid motif containing lysine residue 434 were characterized. Although the substitution of lysine 434 for glycine (K434G) markedly diminished the binding of eRNA to Eno, the adherence to and internalization into alveolar epithelial cells ofS. pneumoniaestrain carrying the C-terminal lysine deletion and the mutation of internal Plg-binding motif were only marginally impaired. Accordingly, using a mass spectrometric approach, we identified seven novel eRNA-binding proteins in pneumococcal cell wall. Given the high number of eRNA-interacting proteins on pneumococci, treatment with RNase1 completely inhibited eRNA-mediated pneumococcal alveolar epithelial cell infection. Our data support further efforts to employ RNAse1 as an antimicrobial agent to combat pneumococcal infectious diseases.
Si doped T6 carbon structure as an anode material for Li-ion batteries: An ab initio study
Authors: Rajkamal A. , Kumar E. Mathan , Kathirvel V. , Park Noejung , Thapa Ranjit
Published: November 2016

First-principles calculations are performed to identify the pristine and Si doped 3D metallic T6 carbon structure (having both sp2and sp3type hybridization) as a new carbon based anode material. The π electron of C2atoms (sp2bonded) forms an out of plane network that helps to capture the Li atom. The highest Li storage capacity of Si doped T6 structure with conformation Li1.7Si1C5produces theoretical specific capacity of 632 mAh/g which substantially exceeding than graphite. Also, open-circuit voltage (OCV) with respect to Li metal shows large negative when compared to the pristine T6 structure. This indicates modifications in terms of chemical properties are required in anode materials for practical application. Among various doped (Si, Ge, Sn, B, N) configuration, Si doped T6 structure provides a stable positive OCV for high Li concentrations. Likewise, volume expansion study also shows Si doped T6 structure is more stable with less pulverization and substantial capacity losses in comparison with graphite and silicon as an anode materials. Overall, mixed hybridized (sp2 + sp3) Si doped T6 structure can become a superior anode material than present sp2hybridized graphite and sp3hybridized Si structure for modern Lithium ion batteries.
Sphingomyelin generated by sphingomyelin synthase 1 is involved in attachment and infection with Japanese encephalitis virus
Authors: Taniguchi Makoto , Tasaki Takafumi , Ninomiya Hideaki , Ueda Yoshibumi , Kuremoto Koh-ichi , Mitsutake Susumu , Igarashi Yasuyuki , Okazaki Toshiro , Takegami Tsutomu
Published: November 2016

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne RNA virus which infects target cells via the envelope protein JEV-E. However, its cellular targets are largely unknown. To investigate the role of sphingomyelin (SM) in JEV infection, we utilized SM-deficient immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblasts (tMEF) established from SM synthase 1 (SMS1)/SMS2 double knockout mice. SMS deficiency significantly reduced both intracellular and extracellular JEV levels at 48 h after infection. Furthermore, after 15 min treatment with JEV, the early steps of JEV infection such as attachment and cell entry were also diminished in SMS-deficient tMEFs. The inhibition of JEV attachment and infection were recovered by overexpression of SMS1 but not SMS2, suggesting SMS1 contributes to SM production for JEV attachment and infection. Finally, intraperitoneal injection of JEV into SMS1-deficient mice showed an obvious decrease of JEV infection and its associated pathologies, such as meningitis, lymphocyte infiltration, and elevation of interleukin 6, compared with wild type mice. These results suggest that SMS1-generated SM on the plasma membrane is related in JEV attachment and subsequent infection, and may be a target for inhibition of JEV infection.
Four translation initiation pathways employed by the leaderless mRNA in eukaryotes
Authors: Akulich Kseniya A. , Andreev Dmitry E. , Terenin Ilya M. , Smirnova Victoria V. , Anisimova Aleksandra S. , Makeeva Desislava S. , Arkhipova Valentina I. , Stolboushkina Elena A. , Garber Maria B. , Prokofjeva Maria M. , Spirin Pavel V. , Prassolov Vladimir S. , Shatsky Ivan N. , Dmitriev Sergey E.
Published: November 2016

mRNAs lacking 5′ untranslated regions (leaderless mRNAs) are molecular relics of an ancient translation initiation pathway. Nevertheless, they still represent a significant portion of transcriptome in some taxons, including a number of eukaryotic species. In bacteria and archaea, the leaderless mRNAs can bind non-dissociated 70 S ribosomes and initiate translation without protein initiation factors involved. Here we use the Fleeting mRNA Transfection technique (FLERT) to show that translation of a leaderless reporter mRNA is resistant to conditions when eIF2 and eIF4F, two key eukaryotic translation initiation factors, are inactivated in mammalian cells. We report an unconventional translation initiation pathway utilized by the leaderless mRNA in vitro, in addition to the previously described 80S-, eIF2-, or eIF2D-mediated modes. This mechanism is a bacterial-like eIF5B/IF2-assisted initiation that has only been reported for hepatitis C virus-like internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs). Therefore, the leaderless mRNA is able to take any of four different translation initiation pathways in eukaryotes.
Sensitization with vaccinia virus encoding H5N1 hemagglutinin restores immune potential against H5N1 influenza virus
Authors: Yasui Fumihiko , Itoh Yasushi , Ikejiri Ai , Kitabatake Masahiro , Sakaguchi Nobuo , Munekata Keisuke , Shichinohe Shintaro , Hayashi Yukiko , Ishigaki Hirohito , Nakayama Misako , Sakoda Yoshihiro , Kida Hiroshi , Ogasawara Kazumasa , Kohara Michinori
Published: November 2016

H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 HPAI) virus causes elevated mortality compared with seasonal influenza viruses like H1N1 pandemic influenza (H1N1 pdm) virus. We identified a mechanism associated with the severe symptoms seen with H5N1 HPAI virus infection. H5N1 HPAI virus infection induced a decrease of dendritic cell number in the splenic extrafollicular T-cell zone and impaired formation of the outer layers of B-cell follicles, resulting in insufficient levels of antibody production after infection. However, in animals vaccinated with a live recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the H5 hemagglutinin, infection with H5N1 HPAI virus induced parafollicular dendritic cell accumulation and efficient antibody production. These results indicate that a recombinant vaccinia encoding H5 hemagglutinin gene does not impair dendritic cell recruitment and can be a useful vaccine candidate.
GWAS study using DNA pooling strategy identifies association of variant rs4910623 in OR52B4 gene with anti-VEGF treatment response in age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Riaz Moeen , Lorés-Motta Laura , Richardson Andrea J. , Lu Yi , Montgomery Grant , Omar Amer , Koenekoop Robert K. , Chen John , Muether Philipp , Altay Lebriz , Schick Tina , Fauser Sascha , Smailhodzic Dzenita , van Asten Freekje , de Jong Eiko K. , Hoyng Carel B. , Burdon Kathryn P. , MacGregor Stuart , Guymer Robyn H. , den Hollander Anneke I. , Baird Paul N.
Published: November 2016

Pooled DNA based GWAS to determine genetic association of SNPs with visual acuity (VA) outcome in anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treated neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients. We performed pooled DNA based GWAS on 285 anti-VEGF treated nAMD patients using high density Illumina 4.3 M array. Primary outcome was change in VA in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters after 6 months of anti-VEGF treatment (patients who lost ≥5 ETDRS letters classified as non-responders and all remaining classified as responders). GWAS analysis identified 44 SNPs of interest: 37 with strong evidence of association (p < 9 × 10−8), 2 in drug resistance genes (p < 5 × 10−6) and 5 nonsynonymous changes (p < 1 × 10−4). In the validation phase, individual genotyping of 44 variants showed three SNPs (rs4910623 p = 5.6 × 10−5, rs323085 p = 6.5 × 10−4 and rs10198937 p = 1.30 × 10−3) remained associated with VA response at 6 months. SNP rs4910623 also associated with treatment response at 3 months (p = 1.5 × 10−3). Replication of these three SNPs in 376 patients revealed association of rs4910623 with poor VA response after 3 and 6 months of treatment (p = 2.4 × 10−3 and p = 3.5 × 10−2, respectively). Meta-analysis of both cohorts (673 samples) confirmed association of rs4910623 with poor VA response after 3 months (p = 1.2 × 10−5) and 6 months (p = 9.3 × 10−6) of treatment in nAMD patients.
The clinicopathological and prognostic significance of PD-L1 expression in gastric cancer: a meta-analysis of 10 studies with 1,901 patients
Authors: Zhang Minghui , Dong Yuandi , Liu Haitao , Wang Yan , Zhao Shu , Xuan Qijia , Wang Yan , Zhang Qingyuan
Published: November 2016

The prognostic value of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in gastric cancer (GC) remains controversial. To clarify this problem, we performed a meta-analysis of research studies identified in the PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases. A total of 1,901 patients in 10 studies were enrolled in this meta-analysis, and the pooled hazard ratio (HR) of 1.64 (95% CI 1.11 to 2.43; P = 0.01) indicated that PD-L1 expression is associated with a shorter overall survival (OS). The pooled odds ratios (ORs) indicated that PD-L1 expression was associated with tumour size (OR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.78; P = 0.002) and lymph node status (OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.04 to 4.52; P = 0.04). However, PD-L1 had no correlation with gender, age, cancer location, differentiation, depth of invasion, and tumour stage. This meta-analysis indicates that PD-L1 expression is a valuable predictor of the prognosis of patients with GC. PD-L1 expression could be used for identifying a subgroup of patients, who would potentially benefit from targeted therapy against PD-1 or PD-L1. Well-designed large-cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Trans-translation is essential in the human pathogen Legionella pneumophila
Authors: Brunel Romain , Charpentier Xavier
Published: November 2016

Trans-translation is a ubiquitous bacterial mechanism for ribosome rescue in the event of translation stalling. Although trans-translation is not essential in several bacterial species, it has been found essential for viability or virulence in a wide range of pathogens. We describe here that trans-translation is essential in the human pathogen Legionella pneumophila, the etiologic agent of Legionnaire’s disease (LD), a severe form of nosocomial and community-acquired pneumonia. The ssrA gene coding for tmRNA, the key component of trans-translation, could not be deleted in L. pneumophila. To circumvent this and analyse the consequences of impaired trans-translation, we placed ssrA under the control of a chemical inducer. Phenotypes associated with the inhibition of ssrA expression include growth arrest in rich medium, hampered cell division, and hindered ability to infect eukaryotic cells (amoebae and human macrophages). LD is often associated with failure of antibiotic treatment and death (>10% of clinical cases). Decreasing tmRNA levels led to significantly higher sensitivity to ribosome-targeting antibiotics, including to erythromycin. We also detected a higher sensitivity to the transcription inhibitor rifampicin. Both antibiotics are recommended treatments for LD. Thus, interfering with trans-translation may not only halt the infection, but could also potentiate the recommended therapeutic treatments of LD.
Distribution of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in coastal wetland soil related land use in the Modern Yellow River Delta
Authors: Yu Junbao , Zhan Chao , Li Yunzhao , Zhou Di , Fu Yuqin , Chu Xiaojing , Xing Qinghui , Han Guangxuan , Wang Guangmei , Guan Bo , Wang Qing
Published: November 2016

The delivery and distribution of nutrients in coastal wetland ecosystems is much related to the land use. The spatial variations of TOC, TN, NH4+-N, NO3−-N and TP and associated soil salinity with depth in 9 kinds land uses in coastal zone of the modern Yellow River Delta (YRD) was evaluated based on monitoring data in field from 2009 to 2015. The results showed that the average contents of soil TOC, TN, NO3−-N, NH4+-N and TP were 4.21 ± 2.40 g kg−1, 375.91 ± 213.44, 5.36 ± 9.59 and 7.20 ± 5.58 and 591.27 ± 91.16 mg kg−1, respectively. The high N and C contents were found in cropland in southern part and low values in natural wetland, while TP was relatively stable both in profiles and in different land uses. The land use, land formation age and salinity were important factors influencing distributions of TOC and N. Higher contents of TOC and N were observed in older formation age lands in whole study region, while the opposite regulation were found in new-born natural wetland, indicating that the anthropogenic activities could greatly alter the original distribution regulations of nutrients in coastal natural wetlands by changing the regional land use.
A social contagious model of the obesity epidemic
Authors: Huang He , Yan Zhijun , Chen Yahong , Liu Fangyan
Published: November 2016

Obesity has been recognized as a global epidemic by WHO, followed by many empirical evidences to prove its infectiousness. However, the inter-person spreading dynamics of obesity are seldom studied. A distinguishing feature of the obesity epidemic is that it is driven by a social contagion process which cannot be perfectly described by the infectious disease models. In this paper, we propose a novel belief decision model based on the famous Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence to model obesity epidemic as the competing spread of two obesity-related behaviors: physical inactivity and physical activity. The transition of health states is described by an SIS model. Results reveal the existence of obesity epidemic threshold, above which obesity is quickly eradicated. When increasing the fading level of information spread, enlarging the clustering of initial obese seeds, or introducing small-world characteristics into the network topology, the threshold is easily met. Social discrimination against the obese people plays completely different roles in two cases: on one hand, when obesity cannot be eradicated, social discrimination can reduce the number of obese people; on the other hand, when obesity is eradicable, social discrimination may instead cause it breaking out.
Where is iron in erionite? A multidisciplinary study on fibrous erionite-Na from Jersey (Nevada, USA)
Authors: Gualtieri Alessandro F. , Gandolfi Nicola Bursi , Pollastri Simone , Pollok Kilian , Langenhorst Falko
Published: November 2016

Fibrous erionite is a mineral fibre of great concern but to date mechanisms by which it induces cyto- and geno-toxic damage, and especially the role of iron associated to this zeolite species, remain poorly understood. One of the reasons is that we still don’t know exactly where iron is in natural erionite. This work is focused on fibrous erionite-Na from Jersey (Nevada, USA) and attempts to draw a general model of occurrence of iron in erionite and relationship with toxicity mechanisms. It was found that iron is present as 6-fold coordinated Fe3+ not part of the zeolite structure. The heterogeneous nature of the sample was revealed as receptacle of different iron-bearing impurities (amorphous iron-rich nanoparticles, micro-particles of iron oxides/hydroxides, and flakes of nontronite). If iron is not part of the structure, its role should be considered irrelevant for erionite toxicity, and other factors like biopersistence should be invoked. An alternative perspective to the proposed model is that iron rich nano-particles and nontronite dissolve in the intracellular acidic environment, leaving a residue of iron atoms at specific surface sites anchored to the windows of the zeolite channels. These sites may be active later as low nuclearity groups.
Gaussian entanglement generation from coherence using beam-splitters
Authors: Wang Zhong-Xiao , Wang Shuhao , Ma Teng , Wang Tie-Jun , Wang Chuan
Published: November 2016

The generation and quantification of quantum entanglement is crucial for quantum information processing. Here we study the transition of Gaussian correlation under the effect of linear optical beam-splitters. We find the single-mode Gaussian coherence acts as the resource in generating Gaussian entanglement for two squeezed states as the input states. With the help of consecutive beam-splitters, single-mode coherence and quantum entanglement can be converted to each other. Our results reveal that by using finite number of beam-splitters, it is possible to extract all the entanglement from the single-mode coherence even if the entanglement is wiped out before each beam-splitter.
Pancreatic Mesenchyme Regulates Islet Cellular Composition in a Patched/Hedgehog-Dependent Manner
Authors: Hibsher Daniel , Epshtein Alona , Oren Nufar , Landsman Limor
Published: November 2016

Pancreas development requires restrained Hedgehog (Hh) signaling activation. While deregulated Hh signaling in the pancreatic mesenchyme has been long suggested to be detrimental for proper organogenesis, this association was not directly shown. Here, we analyzed the contribution of mesenchymal Hh signaling to pancreas development. To increase Hh signaling in the pancreatic mesenchyme of mouse embryos, we deleted Patched1 (Ptch1) in these cells. Our findings indicate that deregulated Hh signaling in mesenchymal cells was sufficient to impair pancreas development, affecting both endocrine and exocrine cells. Notably, transgenic embryos displayed disrupted islet cellular composition and morphology, with a reduced β-cell portion. Our results indicate that the cell-specific growth rates of α- and β-cell populations, found during normal development, require regulated mesenchymal Hh signaling. In addition, we detected hyperplasia of mesenchymal cells upon elevated Hh signaling, accompanied by them acquiring smooth-muscle like phenotype. By specifically manipulating mesenchymal cells, our findings provide direct evidence for the non-autonomous roles of the Hh pathway in pancreatic epithelium development. To conclude, we directly show that regulated mesenchymal Hh signaling is required for pancreas organogenesis and establishment of its proper cellular composition.
Climate-driven increase of natural wetland methane emissions offset by human-induced wetland reduction in China over the past three decades
Authors: Zhu Qiuan , Peng Changhui , Liu Jinxun , Jiang Hong , Fang Xiuqin , Chen Huai , Niu Zhenguo , Gong Peng , Lin Guanghui , Wang Meng , Wang Han , Yang Yanzheng , Chang Jie , Ge Ying , Xiang Wenhua , Deng Xiangwen , He Jin-Sheng
Published: November 2016

Both anthropogenic activities and climate change can affect the biogeochemical processes of natural wetland methanogenesis. Quantifying possible impacts of changing climate and wetland area on wetland methane (CH4) emissions in China is important for improving our knowledge on CH4 budgets locally and globally. However, their respective and combined effects are uncertain. We incorporated changes in wetland area derived from remote sensing into a dynamic CH4 model to quantify the human and climate change induced contributions to natural wetland CH4 emissions in China over the past three decades. Here we found that human-induced wetland loss contributed 34.3% to the CH4 emissions reduction (0.92 TgCH4), and climate change contributed 20.4% to the CH4 emissions increase (0.31 TgCH4), suggesting that decreasing CH4 emissions due to human-induced wetland reductions has offset the increasing climate-driven CH4 emissions. With climate change only, temperature was a dominant controlling factor for wetland CH4 emissions in the northeast (high latitude) and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (high altitude) regions, whereas precipitation had a considerable influence in relative arid north China. The inevitable uncertainties caused by the asynchronous for different regions or periods due to inter-annual or seasonal variations among remote sensing images should be considered in the wetland CH4 emissions estimation.