bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole exome sequencing as a diagnostic adjunct to clinical testing in fetuses with structural abnormalities
Authors: Fu F. , Li R. , Li Y. , Nie Z.‐Q. , Lei T. , Wang D. , Yang X. , Han J. , Pan M. , Zhen L. , Ou Y. , Li J. , Li F.‐T. , Jing X. , Li D. , Liao C.
Published: October 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the diagnostic yield of prenatal whole exome sequencing (WES) for monogenic disorders in fetuses with structural malformations and normal results on cytogenetic testing, and to describe information on pathogenic variants that is provided by WES.

Methods

Karyotyping, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and WES were performed sequentially on stored samples from a cohort of 3949 pregnancies with fetal structural abnormalities detected on ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging, referred between January 2011 and December 2015. Diagnostic rates of the three techniques were investigated overall, for phenotypic subgroups and for proband‐only vs fetus–mother–father samples. Information on pathogenic variants was identified by WES.

Results

Overall, 18.2% (720/3949) of fetuses had an abnormal karyotype. Pathogenic copy number variants were detected on CMA in 8.2% (138/1680) of fetuses that had a normal karyotype result. WES performed on a subgroup of 196 fetuses with normal CMA and karyotype results revealed the putative genetic variants responsible for the abnormal phenotypes in 47 cases (24%). The molecular diagnosis rates for fetus–mother–father and proband‐only samples were 26.5% (13/49) and 23.1% (34/147), respectively. Variants of uncertain significance were detected in 12.8% (25/196) of fetuses, of which 22 were identified in the fetal proband‐only group (15%; 22/147) and three in the fetus–mother–father group (6.1%; 3/49). The incidental finding rate was 6.1% (12/196).

Conclusions

WES is a promising method for the identification of genetic variants that cause structural abnormalities in fetuses with normal results on karyotyping and CMA. This enhanced diagnostic yield has the potential to improve the clinical management of pregnancies and to inform better the reproductive decisions of affected families. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Iron(II) Complexes with Boron Cluster Anion [B10Cl10]2–: Intermolecular Interactions according to35Cl NQR Spectroscopy and X‐ray Diffraction
Authors: Kravchenko Eleonora A. , Gippius Andrei. A. , Polyakova† Irina N. , Avdeeva Varvara V. , Malinina Elena A. , Demikhov Timofei. E. , Buzanov Grigorii A. , Kuznetsov Nikolai T.
Published: October 2017

Secondary interactions, in which decachloro‐closo‐decaborate anions are involved were studied in solvates [Fe(phen)3][B10Cl10]·0.875CH3CN·0.125H2O (1), {[Fe(bipy)3][B10Cl10]}·2Bipy·0.5CH3CN (2), {[Fe(bipy)3]2[B10Cl10]2}·2.25CH3CN (3), and [Fe(bipy)3]3[B10Cl10]3·2CH3CN·H2O (4). Structures1–4were determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis, and complexes1–3were studied using35Cl NQR spectroscopy. A number of C–H···Cl and p···π interactions between chlorine atoms and delocalized electron density of phenyl rings or C≡N groups of acetonitrile molecules were identified. The results obtained by the two methods were compared and the relative strength of secondary interactions were estimated.
The Elephant in the Room. Über das Verhältnis von demographischem Wandel, Daseinsvorsorge und zivilgesellschaftlichem Engagement in Deutschland
Authors: Nadler Robert
Published: October 2017

In Germany’s territorial planning community, the relation of demographic change, the provision of public services and civic engagement is mainly sketched out as a substitution logic, in which volunteer work substitutes for employed work of state agencies in the provision of public services. The aim of this paper is a critical assessment of this substitution logic. The central question is: how realistic is this fictional model of substitution in the light of current patterns of demographic change in Germany? Methodologically the paper draws on a literature review, which is, first, used to outline definitions and empirical evidence regarding civic engagement in Germany, and second, to present in detail and critically reflect the main discourse in German territorial planning regarding the relation of public services and demographic change. The central result is the description of three dilemmas (geographic, political and motivational dilemma), that hinder a realistic implementation of substitution. As a consequence, suggestions are made for a better conceptualization of the relation of public service provision and civic engagement in the light of demographic change. It is argued that civic engagement should more strongly be conceived in combination with tools for recognition, the geographic disparities of civic engagement must be considered more strongly, and state agents must reflect on and redefine their role and self-conception in relation to engaging social groups, with the aim of a more equal partnership.
Expression of STK11 gene and its promoter activity in MCF control and cancer cells
Authors: Alkaf Asma , Al-Jafari Abdulaziz , Wani Tanveer A. , Alqattan Somaya , Zargar Seema
Published: October 2017

Serine/threonine kinase gene (STK11) is identified as tumor suppressor gene whose mutation can lead to Peutz–Jeghers syndrome (PJS). STK11 is emerging as a multifunctional protein, it activates 14 different AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) family members, important in the regulation of cell polarity, cell cycle arrest, energy and hemostasis. Present study was designed to evaluate STK11 mRNA expression in MCF-7 cancer and MCF-10 normal breast cells lines. mRNA expression was studied by real-time PCR. Further, human STK11 promoter construct was fused to a luciferase reporter and transfected into both MCF-7 and MCF-10 cells to identify the promoter activity in these cells. STK11 mRNA was found significantly higher in MCF-7 compared to MCF-10 cells (p value < 0.0005) indicating its role in the onset of breast cancer. Interestingly, it was found that the promoter activity of STK11 gene in MCF-7 cells was also significantly higher when compared to MCF-10 cells (p value < 0.005). Positive correlation was observed in promoter activity and gene expression (p = 0.048, r
2 = 0.587). This study for the first time relates the altered STK11 gene expression in breast cancer cells with altered promoter activity. The present finding may shed light on the new therapeutic approaches against breast cancer by targeting gene or its promoter.
Iran Auto
Authors: Mehri Darius
Published: October 2017

Since the revolution of 1979, scholars have portrayed the Islamic State's industrial development capacity in a negative light. Global isolation, incoherent economic planning, and predatory Islamic institutions are often cited as the reasons for lackluster development. In Iran Auto: Building a Global Industry in an Islamic State, Darius Mehri shows how this characterization is misguided. Today, Iran has one of the world's largest automobile industries with national technical capacity. Previous studies ignore the consequences of three decades of Iran's capacity for successful industrialization and changes in global technology transfer that allow countries, even ones isolated from formal global institutions, to build an automobile industry. Mehri shows how industrial nationalists in Iran constructed a network of politically effective relationships to open up space for successful local industrial development, and then tapped into a set of important global linkages to create an industry with high local manufacturing content. This book will open up a new line of inquiry into how countries in the global south can develop a successful national automobile industry without the need to conform to global economic institutions.
Evaluating the contribution of avalanching to the mass balance of Himalayan glaciers
Authors: Laha Sourav , Kumari Reshama , Singh Sunil , Mishra Aditya , Sharma Tushar , Banerjee Argha , Nainwal Harish Chandra , Shankar R.
Published: October 2017

Avalanching is a prominent source of accumulation on glaciers that have high and steep valley-walls surrounding their accumulation zones. These glaciers are typically characterised by an extensive supraglacial debris cover and a low accumulation area ratio. Despite an abundance of such glaciers in the rugged landscapes of the High Himalaya, attempts to quantify the net avalanche contribution to mass balance and its long-term variation are almost missing. We first discuss diagnostic criteria to identify strongly avalanche-fed glaciers. Second, we develop an approximate method to quantify the magnitude of the avalanche accumulation exploiting its expected control on the dynamics of these glaciers. The procedure is based on a simplified flowline model description of the glacier concerned and utilises the known glaciological mass-balance, velocity and surface-elevation profiles of the glacier. We apply the method to three Himalayan glaciers and show that the data on the recent dynamics of these glaciers are consistent with a dominant contribution of avalanches to the total accumulation. As a control experiment, we also simulate another Himalayan glacier where no significant avalanche contribution is expected, and reproduce the recent changes in that glacier without any additional avalanche contribution.
A bibliography of the works of Christopher Duggan
Authors: Oglethorpe Stuart
Published: October 2017

This is a full bibliography of the works of Christopher Duggan, including his D.Phil thesis, books, contributions to edited collections, articles in journals, newspapers and other periodicals, book reviews and review articles. It illustrates both the range of his own scholarship and his engagement with the fields of modern Italian history, politics, society and culture.
AN ENTIRE FUNCTION SHARING TWO VALUES WITH ITS LINEAR DIFFERENTIAL POLYNOMIAL
Authors: LAHIRI INDRAJIT
Published: October 2017

We consider the uniqueness of an entire function and a linear differential polynomial generated by it. One of our results improves a result of Li and Yang [‘Value sharing of an entire function and its derivatives’, J. Math. Soc. Japan51(4) (1999), 781–799].
Pre-pregnancy adherences to empirically derived dietary patterns and gestational diabetes risk in a Mediterranean cohort: the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) project
Authors: Donazar-Ezcurra Mikel , Lopez-del Burgo Cristina , Martinez-Gonzalez Miguel A. , Basterra-Gortari Francisco J. , de Irala Jokin , Bes-Rastrollo Maira
Published: October 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the adherence to empirically derived dietary patterns and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk and of healthy lifestyles with the prevention of GDM defining an overall healthy score. The Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra project is a Mediterranean cohort of university graduates started in 1999. We included 3455 pregnant women. During a mean follow-up of 10·3 (sd 3·3) years, we identified 173 incident GDM cases. Two major dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis: the Western dietary pattern (WDP) (characterised by a high consumption of meat-based products and processed foods) and the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) (characterised by a high consumption of vegetables, fruits, fish and non-processed foods). A low-risk score for GDM was defined taking into account important risk factors (age, BMI and unhealthy dietary pattern) for GDM. Positive association was found in the multivariable model between the highest quartile of adherence to WDP and GDM incidence compared with the lowest quartile (OR 1·56; 95 % CI 1·00, 2·43). No association was found between adherence to the MDP and GDM incidence (OR 1·08; 95 % CI 0·68, 1·70 for the highest quartile compared with the lowest). Women who adhered to all three low-risk factors had a 76 % lower risk of GDM (OR 0·24; 95 % CI 0·10, 0·55) compared with women who did not adhere to any factor before pregnancy. In conclusion, our results reinforce the importance of dietary recommendations and other two factors (low BMI and young age at pregnancy) in pre-gravid women.
Morphological and genetic characterization ofPterygodermatites(Paucipectines)zygodontomis(Nematoda: Rictulariidae) fromNecromys lasiurus(Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) from Uberlândia, Brazil
Authors: Costa N.A. , Simões R.O. , Vilela R.V. , Souza J.G.R. , Cardoso S.T. , Leiner N.O. , Gentile R. , Maldonado A.
Published: October 2017

Pterygodermatites (Paucipectines) zygodontomis, a nematode parasite of the small intestine of the rodentNecromys lasiurus, from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, was analysed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, phylogenies were inferred from the mitochondrially encoded cytochromecoxidase I gene (MT-CO1). Details of the helminth surface, such as the oral aperture, cephalic papillae, papillae in the posterior region of the body and longitudinal cuticular elements represented by spine-like projections and fans are presented, adding new taxonomic details. Molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on the MT-CO1, demonstrated thatP. (P.)zygodontomisandPterygodermatites (Paucipectines) jaegerskioldiform a unique evolutionary unit in accordance with the subgenusPaucipectinesand corroborated their occurrence in cricetid and didelphid hosts.
Relationship between the invasive slipper limpetCrepidula fornicataand benthic megafauna structure and diversity, in Arcachon Bay
Authors: de Montaudouin Xavier , Blanchet Hugues , Hippert Bettina
Published: October 2017

The slipper limpetCrepidula fornicataranks among the main invasive species on French coasts and is known to cause ecological impacts on food web structure and nutrient cycling. This study investigated the effect ofC. fornicataon different components of benthic megafauna diversity (species composition, α-, β- and γ-diversity). In Arcachon Bay (France),C. fornicatawas present in 58% of the 221 sampling stations.Crepidula fornicatawas particularly abundant in four of the main benthic megafauna assemblages, suggesting a non-random distribution of its population. The mean number of megafauna species per station (α-diversity) was 11 withC. fornicata vssix without. Conversely, community similarity among stations (β-diversity) was higher whenC. fornicatabiomass increased. Opposing α- and β-diversity trends in the presence ofC. fornicataexplained the similarity of the global number of species (γ-diversity) between both situations (with and withoutC. fornicata). These results highlighted how this exotic engineer species acted on different types of diversity: the presence ofC. fornicataincreased the number of species per sample (α-diversity) but homogenized the benthic community (decreasing β-diversity) in comparison with stations whereC. fornicatawas absent.Crepidula fornicatastock in Arcachon Bay was also monitored and compared with 1999. The spread ofC. fornicatabetween 1999 and 2011 has been limited with a 318 t stock which was not statistically different than the previous estimate performed in 1999. However, the mean length ofC. fornicatacollected in 2011 was significantly smaller, mainly due to a higher proportion of small individuals.
NEOLIBERAL ECONOMISTS AND THE BRITISH WELFARE STATE, 1942–1975
Authors: Peden George
Published: October 2017

Liberal economists’ attitudes towards the welfare state are examined to see how clearly neoliberalism can be distinguished from other forms of liberalism. Three questions are asked. First, how could Friedrich Hayek believe he could accommodate elements of the welfare state agenda set by William Beveridge and John Maynard Keynes into his thinking? Second, why did Hayek become increasingly critical of the welfare state? Third, how far did Lionel Robbins, John Jewkes, and Alan Peacock agree with him? All three might be regarded as neoliberals according to the litmus test set by Philip Mirowski and Dieter Plehwe: that is, membership of the Mont Pèlerin Society or a think tank associated with the Atlas Economic Research Foundation. Yet, Robbins, Jewkes, and Peacock are on a spectrum between Mirowski’s definition of neoliberalism as a belief that freedom is to be found in the unfettered market, and classical and democratic liberals’ belief that people have to be nurtured to become effective citizens and have to be protected from the market’s disruptive effects. It is suggested that a nuanced approach is required in explaining why liberal economists came to believe the welfare state should make more use of markets and pricing systems for registering preferences and apportioning resources.
Subjective Cognitive Decline Modifies the Relationship Between Cerebral Blood Flow and Memory Function in Cognitively Normal Older Adults
Authors: Hays Chelsea C. , Zlatar Zvinka Z. , Campbell Laura , Meloy M.J. , Wierenga Christina E.
Published: October 2017

Objectives: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), or self-reported cognitive decline despite normal neuropsychological test performance, is a risk factor for objective cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). While brain mechanisms contributing to SCD are not well defined, studies show associations with vascular risk factors and altered cerebral blood flow (CBF), raising the hypothesis that those with SCD might be experiencing vascular dysregulation, or a disruption in the normal relationship between CBF and cognition. We examined whether the association between CBF and verbal memory performance differs between those with SCD (SCD+) and those without SCD (SCD-). Methods: Linear mixed-effects models were used to investigate whether the voxel-wise relationship between arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI-measured CBF and verbal memory performance was modified by SCD among a group of 70 cognitively normal older adults (35 SCD+, 35 SCD-; mean age=72) matched on age, gender, and symptoms of depression. Results: Results indicated that the SCD- group exhibited positive associations between verbal memory and CBF within the posterior cingulate cortex, middle temporal gyrus, and inferior frontal gyrus, whereas the SCD+ group displayed negative associations between verbal memory and CBF within the posterior cingulate cortex, middle temporal gyrus, hippocampus, fusiform gyrus, and inferior frontal gyrus. Conclusions: Findings suggest that, while higher CBF is supportive of memory function in those without SCD, higher CBF may no longer support memory function in those presenting with SCD, perhaps reflecting neurovascular dysregulation. (JINS, 2018, 24, 213–223)
Associations Between Asthma and Sensitization to Pet or Pollen Allergens in Young Swedish Twins – The STOPPA Study
Authors: Lindemalm Cecilia , Nordlund Björn , Örtqvist Anne K. , Lundholm Cecilia , van Hage Marianne , Gong Tong , Almqvist Catarina
Published: October 2017

Background: An association between childhood asthma and IgE sensitization has been established, but our understanding of the genetic and environmental contribution to it is incomplete. Our aim was to estimate the associations and dose-response relationship between asthma and sensitization to airborne allergens in Swedish 9- to 14-year-old twins. Additionally, we aimed to explore the importance of familial confounding from shared genes and environment using co-twin controls.

Methods: In the STOPPA cohort, 752 same-sex twin children were screened with Phadiatop® (Thermo Fisher Scientific; Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden); if positive further analysis of IgE antibodies to airborne allergens of pets (cat, horse, dog), pollens (birch, timothy, mugwort), mites, and mold were performed. The associations between asthma and airborne allergens were assessed with generalized estimating equations. The co-twin control analysis was performed by conditional logistic regression.

Results: Children with positive Phadiatop® had more than doubled odds of asthma (OR 2.53, 95% CI [1.74, 3.70]). Sensitization to pet allergens was associated with increased odds of asthma; for example, cat OR 4.15 (95% CI [2.67, 6.45]), with similar estimates for pollens; for example, birch OR 3.22 (95% CI [2.12, 4.91]). Associations persisted with sensitization as a categorical variable and for trend, indicating a dose-response relationship. Results remained in the co-twin analyses; for example, cat OR 4.75 (95% CI [1.62, 14.0]) and birch OR 5.00 (95% CI [1.45, 17.3]).

Conclusion: The association between childhood asthma and sensitization to airborne allergens remains in co-twin analyses, indicating they are not due to confounding from shared environmental or genetic factors.
Twin Studies in Brazil: Projects and Plans / Twin Research: Infant Twins’ Viewing of Social Scenes; Religiosity and Substance Abuse; Down Syndrome Among Twins; Twin Case of Chronic Periodontitis / In the News: The Twin ‘Property Brothers’, Twins With Cerebral Palsy; Twins Affected With the Zika Virus; Twin Writers Derek and Roddy; Twins on Sports Teams; Local Quads
Authors: Segal Nancy L.
Published: October 2017

Twin research in Brazil twin has expanded enormously in recent years, engaging the interests and efforts of many investigators, students and twins. Descriptions and brief summaries of this work and talks given by investigators at local conferences are presented, based on my four-city lecture tour. This is followed by summaries of twin research on infants’ viewing of social scenes, religiosity and substance abuse, Down syndrome, and chronic periodontitis. This article concludes with twin-related news and information of general interest, including identical twin property designers, twins with cerebral palsy, twins affected with the Zika virus, a pair of twin writers, twins in sports, and a set of quadruplets from my childhood neighborhood in Riverdale, New York.
Gastric acid suppression promotes alcoholic liver disease by inducing overgrowth of intestinal Enterococcus
Authors: Llorente Cristina , Jepsen Peter , Inamine Tatsuo , Wang Lirui , Bluemel Sena , Wang Hui J. , Loomba Rohit , Bajaj Jasmohan S. , Schubert Mitchell L. , Sikaroodi Masoumeh , Gillevet Patrick M. , Xu Jun , Kisseleva Tatiana , Ho Samuel B. , DePew Jessica , Du Xin , Sørensen Henrik T. , Vilstrup Hendrik , Nelson Karen E. , Brenner David A. , Fouts Derrick E. , Schnabl Bernd
Published: October 2017

Chronic liver disease is rising in western countries and liver cirrhosis is the 12th leading cause of death worldwide. Simultaneously, use of gastric acid suppressive medications is increasing. Here, we show that proton pump inhibitors promote progression of alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice by increasing numbers of intestinal Enterococcus spp. Translocating enterococci lead to hepatic inflammation and hepatocyte death. Expansion of intestinal Enterococcus faecalis is sufficient to exacerbate ethanol-induced liver disease in mice. Proton pump inhibitor use increases the risk of developing alcoholic liver disease among alcohol-dependent patients. Reduction of gastric acid secretion therefore appears to promote overgrowth of intestinal Enterococcus, which promotes liver disease, based on data from mouse models and humans. Recent increases in the use of gastric acid-suppressive medications might contribute to the increasing incidence of chronic liver disease.
Control of chrysanthemum flowering through integration with an aging pathway
Authors: Wei Qian , Ma Chao , Xu Yanjie , Wang Tianle , Chen Yiyu , Lü Jing , Zhang Lili , Jiang Cai-Zhong , Hong Bo , Gao Junping
Published: October 2017

Age, as a threshold of floral competence acquisition, prevents precocious flowering when there is insufficient biomass, and ensures flowering independent of environmental conditions; however, the underlying regulatory mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, silencing the expression of a nuclear factor gene, CmNF-YB8, from the short day plant chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium), results in precocious transition from juvenile to adult, as well as early flowering, regardless of day length conditions. The expression of SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING-LIKE (SPL) family members, SPL3, SPL5, and SPL9, is upregulated in CmNF-YB8-RNAi plants, while expression of the microRNA, cmo-MIR156, is downregulated. In addition, CmNF-YB8 is shown to bind to the promoter of the cmo-MIR156 gene. Ectopic expression of cmo-miR156, using a virus-based microRNA expression system, restores the early flowering phenotype caused by CmNF-YB8 silencing. These results show that CmNF-YB8 influences flowering time through directly regulating the expression of cmo-MIR156 in the aging pathway.
Plume-subduction interaction forms large auriferous provinces
Authors: Tassara Santiago , González-Jiménez José M. , Reich Martin , Schilling Manuel E. , Morata Diego , Begg Graham , Saunders Edward , Griffin William L. , O’Reilly Suzanne Y. , Grégoire Michel , Barra Fernando , Corgne Alexandre
Published: October 2017

Gold enrichment at the crustal or mantle source has been proposed as a key ingredient in the production of giant gold deposits and districts. However, the lithospheric-scale processes controlling gold endowment in a given metallogenic province remain unclear. Here we provide the first direct evidence of native gold in the mantle beneath the Deseado Massif in Patagonia that links an enriched mantle source to the occurrence of a large auriferous province in the overlying crust. A precursor stage of mantle refertilisation by plume-derived melts generated a gold-rich mantle source during the Early Jurassic. The interplay of this enriched mantle domain and subduction-related fluids released during the Middle-Late Jurassic resulted in optimal conditions to produce the ore-forming magmas that generated the gold deposits. Our study highlights that refertilisation of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle is a key factor in forming large metallogenic provinces in the Earth’s crust, thus providing an alternative view to current crust-related enrichment models.
Microfluidics with fluid walls
Authors: Walsh Edmond J. , Feuerborn Alexander , Wheeler James H. R. , Tan Ann Na , Durham William M. , Foster Kevin R. , Cook Peter R.
Published: October 2017

Microfluidics has great potential, but the complexity of fabricating and operating devices has limited its use. Here we describe a method — Freestyle Fluidics — that overcomes many key limitations. In this method, liquids are confined by fluid (not solid) walls. Aqueous circuits with any 2D shape are printed in seconds on plastic or glass Petri dishes; then, interfacial forces pin liquids to substrates, and overlaying an immiscible liquid prevents evaporation. Confining fluid walls are pliant and resilient; they self-heal when liquids are pipetted through them. We drive flow through a wide range of circuits passively by manipulating surface tension and hydrostatic pressure, and actively using external pumps. Finally, we validate the technology with two challenging applications — triggering an inflammatory response in human cells and chemotaxis in bacterial biofilms. This approach provides a powerful and versatile alternative to traditional microfluidics.
Gravitational-wave localization alone can probe origin of stellar-mass black hole mergers
Authors: Bartos I. , Haiman Z. , Marka Z. , Metzger B. D. , Stone N. C. , Marka S.
Published: October 2017

The recent discovery of gravitational waves from stellar-mass binary black hole mergers by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory opened the door to alternative probes of stellar and galactic evolution, cosmology and fundamental physics. Probing the origin of binary black hole mergers will be difficult due to the expected lack of electromagnetic emission and limited localization accuracy. Associations with rare host galaxy types—such as active galactic nuclei—can nevertheless be identified statistically through spatial correlation. Here we establish the feasibility of statistically proving the connection between binary black hole mergers and active galactic nuclei as hosts, even if only a sub-population of mergers originate from active galactic nuclei. Our results are the demonstration that the limited localization of gravitational waves, previously written off as not useful to distinguish progenitor channels, can in fact contribute key information, broadening the range of astrophysical questions probed by binary black hole observations.
Cenozoic global cooling and increased seawater Mg/Ca via reduced reverse weathering
Authors: Dunlea Ann G. , Murray Richard W. , Santiago Ramos Danielle P. , Higgins John A.
Published: October 2017

Authigenic clay minerals formed on or in the seafloor occur in every type of marine sediment. They are recognized to be a major sink of many elements in the ocean but are difficult to study directly due to dilution by detrital clay minerals. The extremely low dust fluxes and marine sedimentation rates in the South Pacific Gyre (SPG) provide a unique opportunity to examine relatively undiluted authigenic clay. Here, using Mg isotopes and element concentrations combined with multivariate statistical modeling, we fingerprint and quantify the abundance of authigenic clay within SPG sediment. Key reactants include volcanic ash (source of reactive aluminium) and reactive biogenic silica on or shallowly buried within the seafloor. Our results, together with previous studies, suggest that global reorganizations of biogenic silica burial over the Cenozoic reduced marine authigenic clay formation, contributing to the rise in seawater Mg/Ca and decline in atmospheric CO2 over the past 50 million years.
Pan-Antarctic analysis aggregating spatial estimates of Adélie penguin abundance reveals robust dynamics despite stochastic noise
Authors: Che-Castaldo Christian , Jenouvrier Stephanie , Youngflesh Casey , Shoemaker Kevin T. , Humphries Grant , McDowall Philip , Landrum Laura , Holland Marika M. , Li Yun , Ji Rubao , Lynch Heather J.
Published: October 2017

Colonially-breeding seabirds have long served as indicator species for the health of the oceans on which they depend. Abundance and breeding data are repeatedly collected at fixed study sites in the hopes that changes in abundance and productivity may be useful for adaptive management of marine resources, but their suitability for this purpose is often unknown. To address this, we fit a Bayesian population dynamics model that includes process and observation error to all known Adélie penguin abundance data (1982–2015) in the Antarctic, covering >95% of their population globally. We find that process error exceeds observation error in this system, and that continent-wide “year effects” strongly influence population growth rates. Our findings have important implications for the use of Adélie penguins in Southern Ocean feedback management, and suggest that aggregating abundance across space provides the fastest reliable signal of true population change for species whose dynamics are driven by stochastic processes.
Enhanced nanochannel translocation and localization of genomic DNA molecules using three-dimensional nanofunnels
Authors: Zhou Jinsheng , Wang Yanqian , Menard Laurent D. , Panyukov Sergey , Rubinstein Michael , Ramsey J. Michael
Published: October 2017

The ability to precisely control the transport of single DNA molecules through a nanoscale channel is critical to DNA sequencing and mapping technologies that are currently under development. Here we show how the electrokinetically driven introduction of DNA molecules into a nanochannel is facilitated by incorporating a three-dimensional nanofunnel at the nanochannel entrance. Individual DNA molecules are imaged as they attempt to overcome the entropic barrier to nanochannel entry through nanofunnels with various shapes. Theoretical modeling of this behavior reveals the pushing and pulling forces that result in up to a 30-fold reduction in the threshold electric field needed to initiate nanochannel entry. In some cases, DNA molecules are stably trapped and axially positioned within a nanofunnel at sub-threshold electric field strengths, suggesting the utility of nanofunnels as force spectroscopy tools. These applications illustrate the benefit of finely tuning nanoscale conduit geometries, which can be designed using the theoretical model developed here.
Erratum: Laparoscopic versus opengastric surgery for the treatment of pathological T1N0M0 gastric cancer in elderly patients: a matched study
Authors: Pan Haiyan , Li Tao , Huang Zhigang , Yu Haibing , Kong Danli , Ding Yuanlin , Pan Congcong , Jiang Yugang
Published: October 2017

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Complement Protein C3 Suppresses Axon Growth and Promotes Neuron Loss
Authors: Peterson Sheri L. , Nguyen Hal X. , Mendez Oscar A. , Anderson Aileen J.
Published: October 2017

The inflammatory response to spinal cord injury (SCI) involves localization and activation of innate and adaptive immune cells and proteins, including the complement cascade. Complement C3 is important for the classical, alternative, and lectin pathways of complement activation, and its cleavage products C3a and C3b mediate several functions in the context of inflammation, but little is known about the potential functions of C3 on regeneration and survival of injured neurons after SCI. We report that 6 weeks after dorsal hemisection with peripheral conditioning lesion, C3−/−mice demonstrated a 2-fold increase in sensory axon regeneration in the spinal cord in comparison to wildtype C3+/+mice.In vitro, addition of C3 tripled both myelin-mediated neurite outgrowth inhibition and neuron loss versus myelin alone, and ELISA experiments revealed that myelin serine proteases cleave C3 to generate active fragments. Addition of purified C3 cleavage products to cultured neurons suggested that C3b is responsible for the growth inhibitory and neurotoxic or anti-adhesion activities of C3. These data indicate that C3 reduces neurite outgrowth and neuronal viabilityin vitroand restricts axon regenerationin vivo, and demonstrate a novel, non-traditional role for this inflammatory protein in the central nervous system.
Magnetic Nanoparticle-Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite as a Novel Bioelectrode for Mediatorless-Membraneless Glucose Enzymatic Biofuel Cells
Authors: Pakapongpan Saithip , Tuantranont Adisorn , Poo-arporn Rungtiva P.
Published: October 2017

In this work, an enzymatic biofuel cell (EBC) based on a membraneless and mediatorless glucose enzymatic fuel cell system was constructed for operation in physiological conditions (pH 7.0 and temperature 37 °C). The new platform EBC made of nanocomposite, including magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO), was used for the immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOD) as bioanode and bilirubin oxidase (BOD) as biocathode. The EBC bioelectrodes were fabricated without binder or adhesive agents for immobilized enzyme and the first EBC using superparamagnetic properties with Fe3O4 NPs has been reported. The performance of the EBC was evaluated with promising results. In EBC tests, the maximum power density of the EBC was 73.7 μW cm−2 and an open circuit voltage (OCV) as +0.63 V with 5 mM of glucose concentration for the physiological condition of humans. The Fe3O4-RGO nanocomposite offers remarkable enhancement in large surface areas, is a favorable environment for enzyme immobilization, and facilitates electron transfer between enzymes and electrode surfaces. Fe3O4 and RGO have been implied as new promising composite nanomaterials for immobilizing enzymes and efficient platforms due to their superparamagnetism properties. Thus, glucose EBCs could potentially be used as self-powered biosensors or electric power sources for biomedical device applications.
Reconstruction of non-error magnetic hologram data by magnetic assist recording
Authors: Shirakashi Zen , Goto Taichi , Takagi Hiroyuki , Nakamura Yuichi , Lim Pang Boey , Uchida Hironaga , Inoue Mitsuteru
Published: October 2017

Hologram memory is expected to be the next-generation of optical data storage technology. Bismuth-substituted yttrium iron garnet is typically used for rewritable magnetic hologram media. The diffraction efficiency of magnetic holography depends on the Faraday rotation angle, but the experimental diffraction efficiency is not as high as that expected from calculations. This difference could be caused by incomplete magnetization reversal at the recorded region. In this study, we investigated the effects of magnetic assist (MA) recording through numerical simulation and experiment to improve the diffraction efficiency and the resulting reconstructed images. The improvement of diffraction efficiency was more effective in garnet films thinner than the width of a fringe, and a suitable value of the assist magnetic field was identified for the improvement. In addition, MA recording improved the intensity of reconstructed images and broadened the non-error recording conditions to the low energy region. This technique shows promise in improving the reconstructed quality of magnetic hologram data.
Response of human periodontal ligament stem cells to IFN-γ and TLR-agonists
Authors: Andrukhov Oleh , Hong Johanna Sang-A , Andrukhova Olena , Blufstein Alice , Moritz Andreas , Rausch-Fan Xiaohui
Published: October 2017

Periodontal ligament stem cells similarly to the mesenchymal stem cells of other tissues possess immunomodulatory properties, which are regulated by different cytokines, particularly by interferon-γ (IFN-γ). In contrast, less information is provided about the effect of toll-like receptors ligand on immunomodulatory properties of these cells. In the present study we investigated the response of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) in response to simultaneous stimulation with IFN-γ and toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists. The resulting expression of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO-1), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) was investigated. The expression of IDO-1 was upregulated by IFN-γ in both gene and protein levels. TLR2 agonists Pam3CSK4 induced gene expression of IDO-1, but had no effect on protein expression. IFN-γ induced IDO-1 protein expression was further enhanced by Pam3CSK4. TLR-4 agonist E. coli LPS has no significant effect on neither basal nor IFN-γ induced IDO-1 protein expression. The production of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 was induced by TLR agonists. Neither basal nor TLR agonists induced production of these proteins was affected by IFN-γ. Our data shows potential interaction between IFN-γ and TLR2 responses in hPDLSCs, which might be involved in regulation of immune response in inflammatory diseases, and particularly periodontitis.
Store-operated Ca2+ Entry Facilitates the Lipopolysaccharide-induced Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression in Gastric Cancer Cells
Authors: Wong Jhen-Hong , Ho Kuo-Hao , Nam Sean , Hsu Wen-Li , Lin Chia-Hsien , Chang Che-Mai , Wang Jaw-Yuan , Chang Wei-Chiao
Published: October 2017

Helicobacter pylori has been identified as one of the major causes of chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and gastric cancer. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, and H. pylori LPS might play an exclusively important role in activating inflammatory pathways in monocytes and macrophages. To study the role of LPS in the underlying mechanism of inflammatory responses, we established an in vitro model using the human AGS gastric cancer cell line. We found that LPS mediates inflammation through setting off a cascade of events: activation of the store-operated calcium (SOC) channel, initiation of downstream NF-κB signaling, and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Phosphorylated ERK1/2 promotes the nuclear translocation of NF-κB, and eventually elevates the expression level of COX-2, a major inflammatory gene.
A minimal resting time of 25 min is needed before measuring stabilized blood pressure in subjects addressed for vascular investigations
Authors: Mahe Guillaume , Comets Emmanuelle , Nouni Aziz , Paillard François , Dourmap Caroline , Le Faucheur Alexis , Jaquinandi Vincent
Published: October 2017

Blood pressure (BP) measurement is a central element in clinical practice. According to international recommendations 3 to 5 minutes of resting is needed before blood pressure measurement. Surprisingly, no study has modelled the time course of BP decrease and the minimum resting-time before BP measurement. A cross-sectional bicentric observational study was performed including outpatients addressed for vascular examination. Using two automatic BP monitors we recorded the blood pressure every minute during 11 consecutive minutes. The data was analyzed by non-linear mixed effect regression. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic BPs were studied and we tested the effect of covariates on its evolution through log-likelihood ratio tests. We included 199 patients (66+/−13years old). SBP was found to decrease exponentially. Simulations based on the final model show that only half the population reaches a stabilized SBP (defined as SBP + 5 mmHg) after 5 min of resting-time while it takes 25 min to ensure 90% of the population has a stabilized SBP. In conclusion, our results and simulations suggest that 5 minutes are not enough to achieve a stabilized SBP in most patients and at least 25 minutes are required. This questions whether the diagnosis of hypertension can be reliably made during routine visits in general practitioners’ offices.
Short term changes in the proteome of human cerebral organoids induced by 5-MeO-DMT
Authors: Dakic Vanja , Minardi Nascimento Juliana , Costa Sartore Rafaela , Maciel Renata de Moraes , de Araujo Draulio B. , Ribeiro Sidarta , Martins-de-Souza Daniel , Rehen Stevens K.
Published: October 2017

Dimethyltryptamines are entheogenic serotonin-like molecules present in traditional Amerindian medicine recently associated with cognitive gains, antidepressant effects, and changes in brain areas related to attention. Legal restrictions and the lack of adequate experimental models have limited the understanding of how such substances impact human brain metabolism. Here we used shotgun mass spectrometry to explore proteomic differences induced by 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) on human cerebral organoids. Out of the 6,728 identified proteins, 934 were found differentially expressed in 5-MeO-DMT-treated cerebral organoids. In silico analysis reinforced previously reported anti-inflammatory actions of 5-MeO-DMT and revealed modulatory effects on proteins associated with long-term potentiation, the formation of dendritic spines, including those involved in cellular protrusion formation, microtubule dynamics, and cytoskeletal reorganization. Our data offer the first insight about molecular alterations caused by 5-MeO-DMT in human cerebral organoids.
α-Synuclein impairs ferritinophagy in the retinal pigment epithelium: Implications for retinal iron dyshomeostasis in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Baksi Shounak , Singh Neena
Published: October 2017

Retinal degeneration is prominent in Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neuromotor disorder associated with aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) in the substantia-nigra (SN). Although α-syn is expressed in the neuroretina, absence of prominent aggregates suggests altered function as the likely cause of retinal pathology. We demonstrate that α-syn impairs ferritinophagy, resulting in the accumulation of iron-rich ferritin in the outer retina in-vivo and retinal-pigment-epithelial (RPE) cells in-vitro. Over-expression of Rab1a restores ferritinophagy, suggesting that α-syn impairs lysosomal function by disrupting the trafficking of lysosomal hydrolases. Surprisingly, upregulation of ferritin in RPE cells by exogenous iron in-vitro stimulated the release of ferritin and α-syn in exosomes, suggesting that iron overload due to impaired ferritinophagy or other cause(s) is likely to initiate prion-like spread of α-syn and ferritin, creating retinal iron dyshomeostasis and associated cytotoxicity. Since over-expression of α-syn is a known cause of PD, these results explain the likely cause of PD-associated retinal degeneration.
Parallels between DNA and collagen – comparing elastic models of the double and triple helix
Authors: Xu Fei , Zheng Hongning , Clauvelin Nicolas , Lu Xiang-Jun , Olson Wilma K. , Nanda Vikas
Published: October 2017

Multi-stranded helices are widespread in nature. The interplay of polymeric properties with biological function is seldom discussed. This study probes analogies between structural and mechanical properties of collagen and DNA. We modeled collagen with Eulerian rotational and translational parameters of adjacent rungs in the triple-helix ladder and developed statistical potentials by extracting the dispersion of the parameters from a database of atomic-resolution structures. The resulting elastic model provides a common quantitative way to describe collagen deformations upon interacting with integrins or matrix metalloproteinase and DNA deformations upon protein binding. On a larger scale, deformations in Type I collagen vary with a periodicity consistent with the D-periodic banding of higher-order fibers assemblies. This indicates that morphologies of natural higher-order collagen packing might be rooted in the characteristic deformation patterns.
Comparative genomics of Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens ZW3 and related members of Lactobacillus. spp reveal adaptations to dairy and gut environments
Authors: Xing Zhuqing , Geng Weitao , Li Chao , Sun Ye , Wang Yanping
Published: October 2017

It is important for probiotics that are currently utilized in the dairy industry to have clear genetic backgrounds. In this study, the genetic characteristics of Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens ZW3 were studied by undertaking a comparative genomics study, and key genes for adaptation to different environments were investigated and validated in vitro. Evidence for horizontal gene transfer resulting in strong self-defense mechanisms was detected in the ZW3 genome. We identified a series of genes relevant for dairy environments and the intestinal tract, particularly for extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production. Reverse transcription-qPCR (RT-qPCR) revealed significant increases in the relative expression of pgm, ugp, and uge during the mid-logarithmic phase, whereas the expression of pgi was higher at the beginning of the stationary phase. The enzymes encoded by these four genes concertedly regulated carbon flux, which in turn modulated the production of EPS precursors. Moreover, ZW3 tolerated pH 3.5 and 3% bile salt and retained cell surface hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation. In conclusion, we explored the potential of ZW3 for utilization in both the dairy industry and in probiotic applications. Additionally, we elucidated the regulation of the relevant genes involved in EPS production.