bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unskilled, Foreign, and Old
Authors: Liversage Anika , Jakobsen Vibeke
Published: June 2016

Abstract. In order to increase our understanding of the financial disparity between older immigrants and their host-country peers, this article combines a cumulative dis/advantage analysis of immigrant life-course experiences while also attending to larger-scale, socioeconomic processes. The article combines qualitative interviews with quantitative register data from a cohort of older Turkish immigrants and compares their situation with that of their host-country peers. The analysis shows considerable inequalities in old age: While 1% of the ethnic majority live below OECD poverty levels, 29% of the immigrants do so. Their financially disadvantaged situation in late life results partly from the accumulation of a lifetime of disadvantages. Also important are the national rules that tie full social security pensions to length of residence in Denmark.
Negotiating the Challenges of Aging as a British Migrant in Spain
Authors: Ahmed Anya , Hall Kelly
Published: June 2016

Abstract. There has been a proliferation of research on lifestyle migration, including studies of older people who move from Northern to Southern European countries in retirement. This body of research has generally focused on so-called third-age retirees, who exercise mobility to improve their quality of life and to achieve optimal aging. These healthy and active migrants have yet to face the challenges associated with the fourth age. This paper focuses on how retirees in both the third and fourth ages of life experience and exercise mobility, and how some experience the transition from young old to old old age in Spain. While the third age is characterized by new opportunities and activities, the fourth age is a time of decreasing mobility, dependence, and bodily decline. We bring together narrative interview data from two separate studies undertaken with older British people in Spain to examine three main issues: how the experiences and identities of retired migrants change in response to the aging body; the strategies deployed by retired migrants to manage the fourth age; how lifestyle migration as a theoretical category captures the experiences of migrants in their fourth age. This paper therefore represents an original contribution to our knowledge by exploring how lifestyle migrants transition from the third to the fourth age, and in particular how they negotiate bodily decline and decreasing mobility. We conclude that aging represents an important structural context that both enables and restricts opportunities and experiences of mobility.
Erschöpfung und Engagement im Studium
Authors: Gusy Burkhard , Wörfel Franziska , Lohmann Katrin
Published: June 2016

Zusammenfassung. Das in der arbeitspsychologischen Forschung gut etablierte Job Demands-Resources Modell ( Demerouti, Bakker, Nachreiner & Schaufeli, 2001 ) bewährt sich auch im Studienkontext. Analog zu den Annahmen dieses Modells werden bezogen auf das Studium zwei parallel ablaufende Prozesse angenommen: ein Pfad der Gesundheitsbeeinträchtigung, in dem Anforderungen im Studium vermittelt durch Erschöpfung zu gesundheitlichen Einbußen führen und ein motivationaler Pfad, bei dem Ressourcen vermittelt über Engagement zu einem Zugewinn an Gesundheit führen. Für die Analysen wurden Daten von 808 Studierenden genutzt. Sie gaben Auskunft zu ihrem Erschöpfungserleben, ihrem Engagement, ihrer Wahrnehmung und Bewertung von Anforderungen und Ressourcen im Studium sowie ihrem Wohlbefinden. Die oben skizzierten Wirkmechanismen wurden in einem Strukturgleichungsmodell geprüft. Wahrgenommene Anforderungen im Studium sind hypothesenkonform mit Erschöpfung (ß = .79) und darüber invers mit Beeinträchtigungen des Wohlbefindens (ß = -.53) assoziiert, eine gute Ressourcenausstattung hingegen korreliert mit Engagement (ß = .78) sowie positiv mit dem Wohlbefinden (ß = .32). Das Modell parallel ablaufender Prozesse ist akzeptabel an die Daten angepasst. Ein Modell mit kreuzweiser Verschränkung der Pfade von Ressourcen auf Erschöpfung und von Anforderungen auf Engagement bringt gegenüber dem Ausgangsmodell parallel ablaufender Prozesse einen leichten Zugewinn. Die Korrelation zwischen Ressourcen im Studium und Erschöpfung (ß = -.18) erwies sich zwar als signifikant, nicht aber die zwischen Anforderungen im Studium und Engagement (ß = .02).
Das subjektive Wohlbefinden von pflegenden Angehörigen nach einer Trainings- und Erholungswoche
Authors: Hetzel Christian , Opfermann-Kersten Martina , Holzer Michael
Published: June 2016

Zusammenfassung. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist die Evaluation des subjektiven Wohlbefindens nach einer einwöchigen Gruppenintervention für pflegende Angehörige, durchgeführt von der Sozialversicherung für Landwirtschaft, Forsten und Gartenbau. Für das Wohlbefinden (WHO-5 Index) wird ein Längsschnitt mit vier Messzeitpunkten innerhalb von 6 Monaten in zwei Regionen bzw. drei Einrichtungen eingesetzt und mehrebenenanalytisch (n = 545 Messwerte von n = 145 Personen) im finalen Modell für Geschlecht, Pflegebedürftigkeit, Region und Verlauf der Pflegebelastungen kontrolliert. In der Gesamtgruppe (86 % Frauen, mittleres Alter 57 Jahre, 54 % klinisch relevante Depressivität, 64 % mindestens Pflegestufe 2, 40 % Demenz) scheint das Wohlbefinden kurzfristig sehr deutlich (Cohen’s d = 0,41) zu steigen und mittelfristig geringfügig über dem Ausgangsniveau (d = 0,17) zu bleiben. Die Kurven variieren substanziell nach Region und Verlauf der Pflegebelastungen. Diskutiert werden insbesondere Verbesserungspotenziale in der Qualität und der Nachhaltigkeit der Intervention. Kausale Aussagen sind begrenzt, weil eine längsschnittliche Kontrollgruppe fehlt. Die Intervention könnte ein Modell für eine gesetzliche Regelleistung sein.
Preventing Suicide and Self-Harm
Authors: Tyson Philip , Law Claire , Reed Sophie , Johnsey Emma , Aruna Olusola , Hall Sue
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Background: Telephone helplines are considered to play an important role in preventing suicide and self-harm among callers in distress. However, inconsistency in the methods of evaluating such services has limited the firm conclusions that can be drawn. Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of a UK-based helpline from a service user and helpline worker perspective. Method: Callers were asked about their mental state at the beginning and end of the call with a short questionnaire. Helpline workers were surveyed about their experiences of using the questionnaire as part of routine service provision. Results: The helpline was successful at reducing suicidal and self-harming ideation. The short questionnaire method was also successfully integrated into routine practice. Conclusion: Evaluating the efficacy of helplines can be successfully achieved using the short questionnaire method.
Risk and Protective Factors for Suicidal Behaviors Among Pacific Youth in New Zealand
Authors: Teevale Tasileta , Lee Arier Chi-Lun , Tiatia-Seath Jemaima , Clark Terryann Coralie , Denny Simon , Bullen Pat , Fleming Terry , Peiris-John Roshini Janet
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Background: New Zealand has the second highest youth suicide rate in the OECD and particularly among Pacific New Zealanders, who have a threefold higher risk of suicide attempt compared with the general population. Aims: Protective and risk factors for suicide attempts among New Zealand Pacific adolescents were assessed using data from Youth'12, an adolescent health and well-being survey. Method: This randomly selected nationally representative sample of New Zealand secondary school students included 1,445 Pacific high school students aged 12–17 years. Results: One in 10 (11.6%) Pacific adolescents reported attempting suicide. Risk factors for suicide included: being female, household food insecurity, low levels of family connections and family monitoring, life dissatisfaction, having a religious affiliation, and previous suicide by a family member or friend. Of those who had made a suicide attempt, 71% also experienced both suicide ideation and self-harm. Conclusion: This study suggests that given the high rates of suicide ideation and attempts among Pacific young people, targeted trials for new ways of support should be prioritized for this high-risk group. The Pacific family environment, which continues to be the critical space for intervening, and the school environment, as a provider of health services, were both protective of suicide attempt.
Analysis of Internet Suicide Pacts Reported by the Media in Mainland China
Authors: Jiang Fang-Fan , Xu Hui-Lan , Liao Hui-Ying , Zhang Ting
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Background: In mainland China, frequent Internet suicide pacts in recent years have raised strong concerns from several social sectors and the influence of social networks on suicide is constantly growing. Aims: To identify the epidemiological characteristics of media-reported Internet suicide pacts in mainland China. Method: Our study comprised 62 Internet suicide pacts involving 159 victims in mainland China before June 1, 2015. Kendall's randomness test, a trend test, and a circular distribution test were applied to identify the rising or concentrated trends in the time of occurrence of Internet suicide pacts. Results: The overall male-to-female ratio was 2.3:1. Suicide victims were mainly people in their 20s to 30s (84.1%). In all, 87.1% suicide victims completed suicide in sealed hotels or rental housing, and charcoal-burning suicide accounted for 80.6% of cases. Conclusion: People who complete suicide as part of an Internet suicide pact are more likely to be males, aged 20–30 years. Charcoal-burning suicide in sealed hotels or rental housing was the commonest way of dying.
Curiosity Sends Curious Water Data from Mars
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: June 2016

The rover's neutron spectroscopy instrument hints at an unexpected trend: The upper soil levels in the layers of Gale Crater's Kimberley formation seem to hold more water-associated hydrogen.
SURVIV for survival analysis of mRNA isoform variation
Authors: Shen Shihao , Wang Yuanyuan , Wang Chengyang , Wu Ying Nian , Xing Yi
Published: June 2016

The rapid accumulation of clinical RNA-seq data sets has provided the opportunity to associate mRNA isoform variations to clinical outcomes. Here we report a statistical method SURVIV (Survival analysis of mRNAIsoformVariation), designed for identifying mRNA isoform variation associated with patient survival time. A unique feature and major strength of SURVIV is that it models the measurement uncertainty of mRNA isoform ratio in RNA-seq data. Simulation studies suggest that SURVIV outperforms the conventional Cox regression survival analysis, especially for data sets with modest sequencing depth. We applied SURVIV to TCGA RNA-seq data of invasive ductal carcinoma as well as five additional cancer types. Alternative splicing-based survival predictors consistently outperform gene expression-based survival predictors, and the integration of clinical, gene expression and alternative splicing profiles leads to the best survival prediction. We anticipate that SURVIV will have broad utilities for analysing diverse types of mRNA isoform variation in large-scale clinical RNA-seq projects.
High-efficiency and air-stable P3HT-based polymer solar cells with a new non-fullerene acceptor
Authors: Holliday Sarah , Ashraf Raja Shahid , Wadsworth Andrew , Baran Derya , Yousaf Syeda Amber , Nielsen Christian B. , Tan Ching-Hong , Dimitrov Stoichko D. , Shang Zhengrong , Gasparini Nicola , Alamoudi Maha , Laquai Frédéric , Brabec Christoph J. , Salleo Alberto , Durrant James R. , McCulloch Iain
Published: June 2016

Solution-processed organic photovoltaics (OPV) offer the attractive prospect of low-cost, light-weight and environmentally benign solar energy production. The highest efficiency OPV at present use low-bandgap donor polymers, many of which suffer from problems with stability and synthetic scalability. They also rely on fullerene-based acceptors, which themselves have issues with cost, stability and limited spectral absorption. Here we present a new non-fullerene acceptor that has been specifically designed to give improved performance alongside the wide bandgap donor poly(3-hexylthiophene), a polymer with significantly better prospects for commercial OPV due to its relative scalability and stability. Thanks to the well-matched optoelectronic and morphological properties of these materials, efficiencies of 6.4% are achieved which is the highest reported for fullerene-free P3HT devices. In addition, dramatically improved air stability is demonstrated relative to other high-efficiency OPV, showing the excellent potential of this new material combination for future technological applications.
Arctic cut-off high drives the poleward shift of a new Greenland melting record
Authors: Tedesco M. , Mote T. , Fettweis X. , Hanna E. , Jeyaratnam J. , Booth J. F. , Datta R. , Briggs K.
Published: June 2016

Large-scale atmospheric circulation controls the mass and energy balance of the Greenland ice sheet through its impact on radiative budget, runoff and accumulation. Here, using reanalysis data and the outputs of a regional climate model, we show that the persistence of an exceptional atmospheric ridge, centred over the Arctic Ocean, was responsible for a poleward shift of runoff, albedo and surface temperature records over the Greenland during the summer of 2015. New records of monthly mean zonal winds at 500 hPa and of the maximum latitude of ridge peaks of the 5,700±50 m isohypse over the Arctic were associated with the formation and persistency of a cutoff high. The unprecedented (1948–2015) and sustained atmospheric conditions promoted enhanced runoff, increased the surface temperatures and decreased the albedo in northern Greenland, while inhibiting melting in the south, where new melting records were set over the past decade.
The Parkinson’s disease-associated genes ATP13A2 and SYT11 regulate autophagy via a common pathway
Authors: Bento Carla F. , Ashkenazi Avraham , Jimenez-Sanchez Maria , Rubinsztein David C.
Published: June 2016

Forms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) are associated with lysosomal and autophagic dysfunction. ATP13A2, which is mutated in some types of early-onset Parkinsonism, has been suggested as a regulator of the autophagy–lysosome pathway. However, little is known about the ATP13A2 effectors and how they regulate this pathway. Here we show that ATP13A2 depletion negatively regulates another PD-associated gene (SYT11) at both transcriptional and post-translational levels. Decreased SYT11 transcription is controlled by a mechanism dependent on MYCBP2-induced ubiquitination of TSC2, which leads to mTORC1 activation and decreased TFEB-mediated transcription of SYT11, while increased protein turnover is regulated by SYT11 ubiquitination and degradation. Both mechanisms account for a decrease in the levels of SYT11, which, in turn, induces lysosomal dysfunction and impaired degradation of autophagosomes. Thus, we propose that ATP13A2 and SYT11 form a new functional network in the regulation of the autophagy–lysosome pathway, which is likely to contribute to forms of PD-associated neurodegeneration.
Syndecan-4 negatively regulates antiviral signalling by mediating RIG-I deubiquitination via CYLD
Authors: Lin Wei , Zhang Jing , Lin Haiyan , Li Zexing , Sun Xiaofeng , Xin Di , Yang Meng , Sun Liwei , Li Lin , Wang Hongmei , Chen Dahua , Sun Qinmiao
Published: June 2016

Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) plays important roles in pathogen recognition and antiviral signalling transduction. Here we show that syndecan-4 (SDC4) is a RIG-I-interacting partner identified in a yeast two-hybrid screen. We find that SDC4 negatively regulates the RIG-I-mediated antiviral signalling in a feedback-loop control manner. The genetic evidence obtained by using knockout mice further emphasizes this biological role of SDC4 in antiviral signalling. Mechanistically, we show that SDC4 interacts with both RIG-I and deubiquitinase CYLD via its carboxyl-terminal intracellular region. SDC4 likely promotes redistribution of RIG-I and CYLD in a perinuclear pattern post viral infection, and thus enhances the RIG-I–CYLD interaction and potentiates the K63-linked deubiquitination of RIG-I. Collectively, our findings uncover a mechanism by which SDC4 antagonizes the activation of RIG-I in a CYLD-mediated deubiquitination-dependent process, thereby balancing antiviral signalling to avoid deleterious effects on host cells.
Potentially Extreme Population Displacement and Concentration in the Tropics Under Non-Extreme Warming
Authors: Hsiang Solomon M. , Sobel Adam H.
Published: June 2016

Evidence increasingly suggests that as climate warms, some plant, animal and human populations may move to preserve their environmental temperature. The distances they must travel to do this depends on how much cooler nearby surfaces temperatures are. Because large-scale atmospheric dynamics constrain surface temperatures to be nearly uniform near the equator, these displacements can grow to extreme distances in the tropics, even under relatively mild warming scenarios. Here we show that in order to preserve their annual mean temperatures, tropical populations would have to travel distances greater than 1000 km over less than a century if global mean temperature rises by 2 °C over the same period. The disproportionately rapid evacuation of the tropics under such a scenario would cause migrants to concentrate in tropical margins and the subtropics, where population densities would increase 300% or more. These results may have critical consequences for ecosystem and human wellbeing in tropical contexts where alternatives to geographic displacement are limited.
Establishing Virulence Associated Polyphosphate Kinase 2 as a drug target for Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Singh Mamta , Tiwari Prabhakar , Arora Garima , Agarwal Sakshi , Kidwai Saqib , Singh Ramandeep
Published: June 2016

Inorganic polyphosphate (PolyP) plays an essential role in microbial stress adaptation, virulence and drug tolerance. The genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis encodes for two polyphosphate kinases (PPK-1, Rv2984 and PPK-2, Rv3232c) and polyphosphatases (ppx-1, Rv0496 and ppx-2, Rv1026) for maintenance of intracellular PolyP levels. Microbial polyphosphate kinases constitute a molecular mechanism, whereby microorganisms utilize PolyP as phosphate donor for synthesis of ATP. In the present study we have constructed ppk-2 mutant strain of M. tuberculosis and demonstrate that PPK-2 enzyme contributes to its ability to cause disease in guinea pigs. We observed that ppk-2 mutant strain infected guinea pigs had significantly reduced bacterial loads and tissue pathology in comparison to wild type infected guinea pigs at later stages of infection. We also report that in comparison to the wild type strain, ppk-2 mutant strain was more tolerant to isoniazid and impaired for survival in THP-1 macrophages. In the present study we have standardized a luciferase based assay system to identify chemical scaffolds that are non-cytotoxic and inhibit M. tuberculosis PPK-2 enzyme. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study demonstrating feasibility of high throughput screening to obtain small molecule PPK-2 inhibitors.
Fermentation based carbon nanotube multifunctional bionic composites
Authors: Valentini Luca , Bon Silvia Bittolo , Signetti Stefano , Tripathi Manoj , Iacob Erica , Pugno Nicola M.
Published: June 2016

The exploitation of the processes used by microorganisms to digest nutrients for their growth can be a viable method for the formation of a wide range of so called biogenic materials that have unique properties that are not produced by abiotic processes. Here we produced living hybrid materials by giving to unicellular organisms the nutrient to grow. Based on bread fermentation, a bionic composite made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and a single-cell fungi, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast extract, was prepared by fermentation of such microorganisms at room temperature. Scanning electron microscopy analysis suggests that the CNTs were internalized by the cell after fermentation bridging the cells. Tensile tests on dried composite films have been rationalized in terms of a CNT cell bridging mechanism where the strongly enhanced strength of the composite is governed by the adhesion energy between the bridging carbon nanotubes and the matrix. The addition of CNTs also significantly improved the electrical conductivity along with a higher photoconductive activity. The proposed process could lead to the development of more complex and interactive structures programmed to self-assemble into specific patterns, such as those on strain or light sensors that could sense damage or convert light stimulus in an electrical signal.
Novel p-wave superfluids of fermionic polar molecules
Authors: Fedorov A. K. , Matveenko S. I. , Yudson V. I. , Shlyapnikov G. V.
Published: June 2016

Recently suggested subwavelength lattices offer remarkable prospects for the observation of novel superfluids of fermionic polar molecules. It becomes realistic to obtain a topological p-wave superfluid of microwave-dressed polar molecules in 2D lattices at temperatures of the order of tens of nanokelvins, which is promising for topologically protected quantum information processing. Another foreseen novel phase is an interlayer p-wave superfluid of polar molecules in a bilayer geometry.
Identification and tissue expression profile of genes from three chemoreceptor families in an urban pest, Periplaneta americana
Authors: Chen Yan , He Ming , Li Zhao-Qun , Zhang Ya-Nan , He Peng
Published: June 2016

Periplaneta americana is a notorious urban pest prevalent in human habitats; very little is known about its chemosensory mechanism. Employing the advanced next-generation sequencing technique, in the present study, we conducted transcriptome sequencing and analysis of the antennae of the adult males and females as well as their mouthparts using an Illumina platform. This resulted in the discovery of a huge number of the members of all major known chemosensory receptor families in P. americana, including 96 odorant receptors (ORs), 53 ionotropic receptors (IRs) and 33 gustatory receptors (GRs). Tissue expression profiles showed most of them mainly expressed in antennae and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the expansion in the clade distinguishing them from other functionally well-known Lepidoptera species. A high percentage of chemosensory receptor genes (ORs in particular) showing female antenna bias in mRNA expression was observed. Our results provide a basis for further investigations on how P. americana coordinates its chemosensory receptor genes in chemical communication with environments and for development of novel pest management approaches.
A new approach for two-terminal electronic memory devices - Storing information on silicon nanowires
Authors: Saranti Konstantina , Alotaibi Sultan , Paul Shashi
Published: June 2016

The work described in this paper focuses on the utilisation of silicon nanowires as the information storage element in flash-type memory devices. Silicon nanostructures have attracted attention due to interesting electrical and optical properties and their potential integration into electronic devices. A detailed investigation of the suitability of silicon nanowires as the charge storage medium in two-terminal non-volatile memory devices are presented in this report. The deposition of the silicon nanostructures was carried out at low temperatures (less than 400 °C) using a previously developed a novel method within our research group. Two-terminal non-volatile (2TNV) memory devices and metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structures containing the silicon nanowires were fabricated and an in-depth study of their characteristics was carried out using current-voltage and capacitance techniques.
Cross-talk between AMPK and EGFR dependent Signaling in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Praveen Paurush , Hülsmann Helen , Sültmann Holger , Kuner Ruprecht , Fröhlich Holger
Published: June 2016

Lung cancers globally account for 12% of new cancer cases, 85% of these being Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Therapies like erlotinib target the key player EGFR, which is mutated in about 10% of lung adenocarcinoma. However, drug insensitivity and resistance caused by second mutations in the EGFR or aberrant bypass signaling have evolved as a major challenge in controlling these tumors. Recently, AMPK activation was proposed to sensitize NSCLC cells against erlotinib treatment. However, the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. In this work we aim to unravel the interplay between 20 proteins that were previously associated with EGFR signaling and erlotinib drug sensitivity. The inferred network shows a high level of agreement with protein-protein interactions reported in STRING and HIPPIE databases. It is further experimentally validated with protein measurements. Moreover, predictions derived from our network model fairly agree with somatic mutations and gene expression data from primary lung adenocarcinoma. Altogether our results support the role of AMPK in EGFR signaling and drug sensitivity.
Pharmacological exploitation of the phenothiazine antipsychotics to develop novel antitumor agents–A drug repurposing strategy
Authors: Wu Chia-Hsien , Bai Li-Yuan , Tsai Ming-Hsui , Chu Po-Chen , Chiu Chang-Fang , Chen Michael Yuanchien , Chiu Shih-Jiuan , Chiang Jo-Hua , Weng Jing-Ru
Published: June 2016

Phenothiazines (PTZs) have been used for the antipsychotic drugs for centuries. However, some of these PTZs have been reported to exhibit antitumor effects by targeting various signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo. Thus, this study was aimed at exploiting trifluoperazine, one of PTZs, to develop potent antitumor agents. This effort culminated in A4 [10-(3-(piperazin-1-yl)propyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-10H-phenothiazine] which exhibited multi-fold higher apoptosis-inducing activity than the parent compound in oral cancer cells. Compared to trifluoperazine, A4 demonstrated similar regulation on the phosphorylation or expression of multiple molecular targets including Akt, p38 and ERK. In addition, A4 induced autophagy, as evidenced by increased expression of the autophagy biomarkers LC3B-II and Atg5 and autophagosomes formation. The antitumor activity of A4 also related to production of reactive oxygen species and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase. Importantly, the antitumor utility of A4 was extended in vivo as it, administrated at 10 and 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally, suppressed the growth of Ca922 xenograft tumors. In conclusion, the ability of A4 to target diverse aspects of cancer cell growth suggests its value in oral cancer therapy.
Core-shell nanocarriers with high paclitaxel loading for passive and active targeting
Authors: Jin Zhu , Lv Yaqi , Cao Hui , Yao Jing , Zhou Jianping , He Wei , Yin Lifang
Published: June 2016

Rapid blood clearance and premature burst release are inherent drawbacks of conventional nanoparticles, resulting in poor tumor selectivity. iRGD peptide is widely recognized as an efficient cell membrane penetration peptide homing to αVβ3 integrins. Herein, core-shell nanocapsules (NCs) and iRGD-modified NCs (iRGD-NCs) with high drug payload for paclitaxel (PTX) were prepared to enhance the antitumor activities of chemotherapy agents with poor water solubility. Improved in vitro and in vivo tumor targeting and penetration were observed with NCs and iRGD-NCs; the latter exhibited better antitumor activity because iRGD enhanced the accumulation and penetration of NCs in tumors. The NCs were cytocompatible, histocompatible, and non-toxic to other healthy tissues. The endocytosis of NCs was mediated by lipid rafts in an energy-dependent manner, leading to better cytotoxicity of PTX against cancer cells. In contrast with commercial product, PTX-loaded NCs (PTX-NCs) increased area under concentration-time curve (AUC) by about 4-fold, prolonged mean resident time (MRT) by more than 8-fold and reduced the elimination rate constant by greater than 68-fold. In conclusion, the present nanocarriers with high drug-loading capacity represent an efficient tumor-targeting drug delivery system with promising potential for cancer therapy.
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Coupled with Multivariate Chemometrics for Variety Discrimination of Soil
Authors: Yu Ke-Qiang , Zhao Yan-Ru , Liu Fei , He Yong
Published: June 2016

The aim of this work was to analyze the variety of soil by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) coupled with chemometrics methods. 6 certified reference materials (CRMs) of soil samples were selected and their LIBS spectra were captured. Characteristic emission lines of main elements were identified based on the LIBS curves and corresponding contents. From the identified emission lines, LIBS spectra in 7 lines with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were chosen for further analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out using the LIBS spectra at 7 selected lines and an obvious cluster of 6 soils was observed. Soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) and least-squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) were introduced to establish discriminant models for classifying the 6 types of soils, and they offered the correct discrimination rates of 90% and 100%, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the performance of models and the results demonstrated that the LS-SVM model was promising. Lastly, 8 types of soils from different places were gathered to conduct the same experiments for verifying the selected 7 emission lines and LS-SVM model. The research revealed that LIBS technology coupled with chemometrics could conduct the variety discrimination of soil.
Two endoplasmic reticulum proteins (calnexin and calreticulin) are involved in innate immunity in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)
Authors: Huang Ying , Hui Kaimin , Jin Min , Yin Shaowu , Wang Wen , Ren Qian
Published: June 2016

Calnexin (Cnx) and calreticulin (Crt), which are important chaperones in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), participate in the folding and quality control of client proteins. Cnx and Crt identified from Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) are designated as EsCnx and EsCrt, respectively. EsCnx and EsCrt are expressed in the hemocyte, hepatopancrea, gill, and intestine at the mRNA and protein level. Immunofluorescence analysis indicated that EsCnx and EsCRT are located in the ER. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression levels of EsCnx and EsCrt were altered by challenge with lipopolysaccharides (LPS), peptidoglycans (PGN), Staphyloccocus aureus, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Recombinant EsCnx and EsCrt (rEsCnx and rEsCrt, respectively) proteins can bind to various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as to different polysaccharides (LPS and PGN). rEsCnx and rEsCrt assisted in the clearance of V. parahaemolyticus in vivo, and the clearance efficiency was impaired after silencing of EsCnx and EsCrt. Our results suggest that the two ER proteins are involved in anti-bacterial immunity in E. sinensis.
Higher Plasma S100B Concentrations in Schizophrenia Patients and Dependently Associated with Inflammatory Markers
Authors: Hong Wu , Zhao Min , Li Haozhe , Peng Fanglan , Wang Fan , Li Ningning , Xiang Hui , Su Yousong , Huang Yueqi , Zhang Shengyu , Zhao Guoqin , Zhou Rubai , Mao Ling , Lin Zhiguang , Fang Yiru , Zhang Qinting , Xie Bin
Published: June 2016

Glial damage and immune dysfunction are involved in pathogenesis of schizophrenia. However, interaction between glial damage and immune dysfunction in schizophrenia is undefined. This study aims to compare plasma S100 calcium binding protein (S100B) levels between schizophrenia patients and healthy participants and to determine if immune markers are independently related with concentration of S100B in schizophrenia patients. Forty-one schizophrenia patients and thirty-three healthy volunteers were enrolled. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess the concentrations of plasma S100B and inflammatory markers. We found that concentrations of S100B were elevated in schizophrenia patients than healthy participants (p < 0.05) and were negatively related with the severity of symptoms (p = 0.046). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that different S100B levels between schizophrenia and healthy participants can be used as a clinical diagnostic factor (predictive value: 0.666, p = 0.015). Multiple linear regression analysis found that length of illness (Beta = −0.161), plasma levels of inflammatory regulation factors (including TGF-β1, logIL-23 and logIL-10) (Beta = 0.119, 0.475, 0.514) were independently associated with concentrations of S100B (Adjusted R2 = 0.897, p < 0.001). Therefore, our results suggest the possible function of S100B in pathogenesis of schizophrenia and implicate the important role of autoimmune response and balance to glial dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia.
Constraints on mountain building in the northeastern Tibet: Detrital zircon records from synorogenic deposits in the Yumen Basin
Authors: Wang Weitao , Zhang Peizhen , Yu Jingxing , Wang Yizhou , Zheng Dewen , Zheng Wenjun , Zhang Huiping , Pang Jianzhang
Published: June 2016

The Cenozoic basins and ranges form the high topography of the northeastern Tibet that resulted from the India-Eurasia collision. Sedimentary rocks in the basins provide direct insight into the exhumation history of the ranges and the tectonic processes that led to the northeastward growth of the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we analyzed and compared detrital zircon U-Pb ages from sands of modern rivers draining the Bei Shan, and North Qilian Shan and sandstones from the Yumen Basin. The zircon age distributions indicate that the strata dated to 24.2-16.7 Ma in the basin were derived from the Bei Shan, and the basin provenance changed rapidly to the North Qilian Shan terrane at ~16 Ma. These results suggest that an early stage of deformation along the Bei Shan at ~24 Ma was replaced by the growth of the North Qilian Shan at ~16 Ma. We conclude that the far-field effect associated with the Indo-Asian collision may result from Oligocene deformation in the Bei Shan, but the emergence of the North Qilian Shan at ~16 Ma could reflect the most recent outward growth of the Tibetan Plateau that may have been caused by the removal of some lithospheric mantle beneath central Tibet.
Optimal Environmental Conditions and Anomalous Ecosystem Responses: Constraining Bottom-up Controls of Phytoplankton Biomass in the California Current System
Authors: Jacox Michael G. , Hazen Elliott L. , Bograd Steven J.
Published: June 2016

In Eastern Boundary Current systems, wind-driven upwelling drives nutrient-rich water to the ocean surface, making these regions among the most productive on Earth. Regulation of productivity by changing wind and/or nutrient conditions can dramatically impact ecosystem functioning, though the mechanisms are not well understood beyond broad-scale relationships. Here, we explore bottom-up controls during the California Current System (CCS) upwelling season by quantifying the dependence of phytoplankton biomass (as indicated by satellite chlorophyll estimates) on two key environmental parameters: subsurface nitrate concentration and surface wind stress. In general, moderate winds and high nitrate concentrations yield maximal biomass near shore, while offshore biomass is positively correlated with subsurface nitrate concentration. However, due to nonlinear interactions between the influences of wind and nitrate, bottom-up control of phytoplankton cannot be described by either one alone, nor by a combined metric such as nitrate flux. We quantify optimal environmental conditions for phytoplankton, defined as the wind/nitrate space that maximizes chlorophyll concentration and present a framework for evaluating ecosystem change relative to environmental drivers. The utility of this framework is demonstrated by (i) elucidating anomalous CCS responses in 1998–1999, 2002 and 2005 and (ii) providing a basis for assessing potential biological impacts of projected climate change.
Multiple functions of volatiles in flowers and leaves of Elsholtzia rugulosa (Lamiaceae) from southwestern China
Authors: Zhang Feng-Ping , Yang Qiu-Yun , Wang Gang , Zhang Shi-Bao
Published: June 2016

Although the roles of volatile compounds have been examined separately in plant–herbivore or plant–pollinator interactions, few studies have focused on how plant scents can attract effective pollinators, repel ineffective pollinators and defend against attacks by insect herbivores. We explored the functional significance of volatile compounds that impart a strong odor to Elsholtzia rugulosa, a shrub species in southwestern China. We monitored the pollinating honey bee Apis cerana, as well as two occasional visitors – Vespa velutina and a Bombus sp. – and an herbivorous beetle Oxycetonia jocunda. Behavior experiments using Y-tubes showed that honey bees were attracted primarily by floral scent while hornets and bumble bees were repelled by both the flowers and leaves. Analysis via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that these tissue types differed in their compositions and relative amounts of volatile compounds. When the plants were damaged, the average relative amounts of Elsholtzia ketone rapidly increased in the flowers and leaves. Furthermore, herbivorous beetles were strongly repelled by damaged tissues, suggesting a potential defense signaling function by these compounds. Our findings again demonstrate that scents have multiple functions in the interactions among plants and insects.
Clustering of cardiovascular behavioral risk factors and blood pressure among people diagnosed with hypertension: a nationally representative survey in China
Authors: Li Yichong , Feng Xiaoqi , Zhang Mei , Zhou Maigeng , Wang Ning , Wang Limin
Published: June 2016

This study aimed to examine association between the number of behavioral risk factors and blood pressure (BP) level among a nationally representative sample of Chinese people diagnosed with hypertension. A total of 31,694 respondents aged 18+ years with diagnosed hypertension were extracted from the 2013–2014 China Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance. BP of each respondent was classified into six levels according to criteria in 2007 Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension. Information for smoking, alcohol drinking, fruit and vegetables consumption, physical inactivity, and overweight and obesity were obtained. The average number of risk factors was determined by BP level to explore potential risk factor clustering. Ten generalized proportional odds models were used to examine association between clustering of behavioral risk factors and BP level. A clear gradient between the number of behavioral risk factors and BP level was observed for men and women (P < 0.05 for both genders). BP level for men and women was much likely to upgrade as number of risk factors accumulated (P < 0.01 for 10 models). Behavioral modifications may decrease BP, and combinations of two or more behavioral interventions could potentially result in even better BP management among people diagnosed with hypertension.
Mass spectrometry analysis and transcriptome sequencing reveal glowing squid crystal proteins are in the same superfamily as firefly luciferase
Authors: Gimenez Gregory , Metcalf Peter , Paterson Neil G. , Sharpe Miriam L.
Published: June 2016

The Japanese firefly squid Hotaru-ika (Watasenia scintillans) produces intense blue light from photophores at the tips of two arms. These photophores are densely packed with protein microcrystals that catalyse the bioluminescent reaction using ATP and the substrate coelenterazine disulfate. The squid is the only organism known to produce light using protein crystals. We extracted microcrystals from arm tip photophores and identified the constituent proteins using mass spectrometry and transcriptome libraries prepared from arm tip tissue. The crystals contain three proteins, wsluc1–3, all members of the ANL superfamily of adenylating enzymes. They share 19 to 21% sequence identity with firefly luciferases, which produce light using ATP and the unrelated firefly luciferin substrate. We propose that wsluc1–3 form a complex that crystallises inside the squid photophores and that in the crystal one or more of the proteins catalyses the production of light using coelenterazine disulfate and ATP. These results suggest that ANL superfamily enzymes have independently evolved in distant species to produce light using unrelated substrates.
Temperature dependent local atomic displacements in ammonia intercalated iron selenide superconductor
Authors: Paris E. , Simonelli L. , Wakita T. , Marini C. , Lee J.-H. , Olszewski W. , Terashima K. , Kakuto T. , Nishimoto N. , Kimura T. , Kudo K. , Kambe T. , Nohara M. , Yokoya T. , Saini N. L.
Published: June 2016

Recently, ammonia-thermal reaction has been used for molecular intercalation in layered FeSe, resulting a new Lix(NH3)yFe2Se2 superconductor with Tc ~ 45 K. Here, we have used temperature dependent extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) to investigate local atomic displacements in single crystals of this new superconductor. Using polarized EXAFS at Fe K-edge we have obtained direct information on the local Fe-Se and Fe-Fe bondlengths and corresponding mean square relative displacements (MSRD). We find that the Se-height in the intercalated system is lower than the one in the binary FeSe, suggesting compressed FeSe4 tetrahedron in the title system. Incidentally, there is hardly any effect of the intercalation on the bondlengths characteristics, revealed by the Einstein temperatures, that are similar to those found in the binary FeSe. Therefore, the molecular intercalation induces an effective compression and decouples the FeSe slabs. Furthermore, the results reveal an anomalous change in the atomic correlations across Tc, appearing as a clear decrease in the MSRD, indicating hardening of the local lattice mode. Similar response of the local lattice has been found in other families of superconductors, e.g., A15-type and cuprates superconductors. This observation suggests that local atomic correlations should have some direct correlation with the superconductivity.
Reduced anticipation of negative emotional events in alexithymia
Authors: Starita Francesca , Làdavas Elisabetta , di Pellegrino Giuseppe
Published: June 2016

Alexithymia is characterized by difficulties in different domains of emotion processing, especially in relation to negative emotions. Nevertheless, its causal mechanisms remain elusive. Reduced anticipation of negative emotional events might be one such mechanism because it enables the individual to prepare to respond effectively to coming events. To test this, changes in skin conductance response (SCR) were recorded during classical fear conditioning in sixty participants with high (HA), medium (MA) and low (LA) levels of alexithymia. Two coloured squares were presented, one was reinforced with a mild electrical stimulation (CS+) while the other was never reinforced (CS−). Critically, despite all groups showing higher SCR to CS+ compared to CS−, SCR to CS+ was lower and extinguished earlier in HA compared to MA and LA. These differences appeared to be attributable neither to differences in the intensity of stimulation received, nor to SCR to the stimulation itself. Groups showed comparable SCR to CS− as well. Therefore, HA exhibited decreased anticipation of the occurrence of a negative emotional event. Disruption of this mechanism may then compromise effective emotion recognition, emotional response and response regulation, which characterise HA and represent a unifying causal mechanism underlying the difficulties in emotion processing of this group.
Efficient production of acetoin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by disruption of 2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase and expression of NADH oxidase
Authors: Bae Sang-Jeong , Kim Sujin , Hahn Ji-Sook
Published: June 2016

Acetoin is widely used in food and cosmetic industry as taste and fragrance enhancer. For acetoin production in this study, Saccharomyces cerevisiae JHY605 was used as a host strain, where the production of ethanol and glycerol was largely eliminated by deleting five alcohol dehydrogenase genes (ADH1, ADH2, ADH3, ADH4, and ADH5) and two glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes (GPD1 and GPD2). To improve acetoin production, acetoin biosynthetic genes from Bacillus subtilis encoding α-acetolactate synthase (AlsS) and α-acetolactate decarboxylase (AlsD) were overexpressed, and BDH1 encoding butanediol dehydrogenase, which converts acetoin to 2,3-butanediol, was deleted. Furthermore, by NAD+ regeneration through overexpression of water-forming NADH oxidase (NoxE) from Lactococcus lactis, the cofactor imbalance generated during the acetoin production from glucose was successfully relieved. As a result, in fed-batch fermentation, the engineered strain JHY617-SDN produced 100.1 g/L acetoin with a yield of 0.44 g/g glucose.
The transcriptional regulator GalR self-assembles to form highly regular tubular structures
Authors: Agerschou Emil D. , Christiansen Gunna , Schafer Nicholas P. , Madsen Daniel Jhaf , Brodersen Ditlev E. , Semsey Szabolcs , Otzen Daniel E.
Published: June 2016

The Gal repressor regulates transport and metabolism of D-galactose in Escherichia coli and can mediate DNA loop formation by forming a bridge between adjacent or distant sites. GalR forms insoluble aggregates at lower salt concentrations in vitro, which can be solubilized at higher salt concentrations. Here, we investigate the assembly and disassembly of GalR aggregates. We find that a sharp transition from aggregates to soluble species occurs between 200 and 400 mM NaCl, incompatible with a simple salting-in effect. The aggregates are highly ordered rod-like structures, highlighting a remarkable ability for organized self-assembly. Mutant studies reveal that aggregation is dependent on two separate interfaces of GalR. The highly ordered structures dissociate to smaller aggregates in the presence of D-galactose. We propose that these self-assembled structures may constitute galactose-tolerant polymers for chromosome compaction in stationary phase cells, in effect linking self-assembly with regulatory function.
Meta-analysis of the influence of TM6SF2 E167K variant on Plasma Concentration of Aminotransferases across different Populations and Diverse Liver Phenotypes
Authors: Sookoian Silvia , Pirola Carlos J.
Published: June 2016

A nonsynonymous E167K (rs58542926 C/T) variant in TM6SF2 gene was recently associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We explored the association between E167K and plasma concentrations of alanine (ALT) and aspartate (AST) aminotransferases through a meta-analysis. We also estimated the strength of the effect across diverse liver phenotypes, including NAFLD and chronic viral hepatitis; fourteen studies were included. We found that ALT (p = 3.2 × 10−6, n = 94,414) and AST (p = 0007, n = 93,809) levels were significantly associated with rs58542926 in NAFLD. By contrast, rs58542926 was not associated with either ALT (p = 0.24, n = 4187) or AST (p = 0.17, n = 2678) levels in four studies on chronic hepatitis. In conclusion, the results of the pooled estimates in patients with NAFLD showed that carriers of the T allele (EK + KK), when compared with homozygous subjects for the C allele (EE genotype) have increased levels of aminotransferases; however, this increase represents –2.5 (9.8%) and 1.2 (5%) IU/L of ALT and AST respectively, which is fairly small compared with the large effect of PNPLA3- rs738409-G allele that is associated with a –28% increase in serum ALT.