bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Value of Abdominal Drainage After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Mild or Moderate Acute Calculous Cholecystitis: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Prevot Flavien , Fuks David , Cosse Cyril , Pautrat Karine , Msika Simon , Mathonnet Muriel , Khalil Haitham , Mauvais François ,   the FRENCH Cholecystitis Working Group, Arnaud J. P. , Arvieux C. , Bonnetain F. , Chiche L. , Collet D. , Haccart V. , Lacaine F. , Millat B. , Paquet J. C. , Sielezneff I. , Slim K. , Vons C. , Regimbeau Jean‐Marc
Published: June 2016

Background

Although the preoperative management of mild and moderate (Grade I–II) acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) has been standardized, there is no consensus on the value of abdominal drainage after early cholecystectomy.

Methods

In a post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial (NCT01015417) focused on the value of postoperative antibiotic therapy in patients with ACC, we determined the value of abdominal drainage in patients having undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy for Grades I–II ACC. All postoperative complications were analyzed after using a propensity score. A post hoc test was used to assess the statistical robustness of our results.

Results

Of the 414 enrolled patients, 178 did not have abdominal drainage (forming the no‐drainage group) and 236 had drainage (the drainage group). After matching on PS, the deep incisional site infection was 1.1 versus 0.8 %, p = 0.78. This result is similar for the superficial incisional site infections; the distant infections; the overall morbidity, and the readmission rate. Only the hospital length of stay was significantly longer in the drainage group (3.3 vs. 5.1 days, p = 0.003). Neither abdominal drainage nor the absence of postoperative antibiotic therapy was found to be a risk factor for deep incisional site infections.

Conclusions

The use of abdominal drainage depends on the surgeon’s personal preferences but is often used in high‐risk populations. However, abdominal drainage does not appear to be of any benefit (in terms of postoperative outcomes) and may even compromise recovery in patients having undergone early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for mild or moderate ACC.
Impaired Gastrointestinal Function Affects Symptoms and Alimentary Status in Patients After Gastrectomy
Authors: Konishi Hideo , Nakada Koji , Kawamura Masahiko , Iwasaki Taizo , Murakami Keishiro , Mitsumori Norio , Yanaga Katsuhiko
Published: June 2016

Background

Postgastrectomy syndrome (PGS) remains a common complication after gastrectomy that affects patients’ quality of life. Although impaired gastrointestinal (GI) function by gastrectomy procedures is thought to be the cause, the precise pathophysiology of PGS is yet to be clarified.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between GI function and various symptoms or alimentary status in patients after gastrectomy.

Methods

Fifty‐one patients who underwent total or distal gastrectomy at least 1 year previously were studied. All patients replied to a questionnaire that asked presence of symptoms (esophageal reflux, nausea, abdominal pain, early satiation, diarrhea, early dumping general, early dumping abdominal, and late dumping symptoms) and alimentary status (change in body weight, food intake per meal, frequency of meals per day). They also underwent assessment of GI function consisting of gastric emptying study by 13C‐acetate breath test to examine reservoir capacity and gastric emptying, and water load drink test to evaluate tolerance to volume loading (TVL). The relationships between GI function and each symptom or alimentary status were examined.

Results

The patients with nausea and early dumping general symptoms had significantly smaller reservoir capacity*, the patients with diarrhea and early dumping general symptoms had significantly faster gastric emptying*, and the patients with early satiation and early dumping abdominal symptoms had significantly impaired TVL*. Significant correlations were identified between TVL and body weight changes* or food intake per meal* (* p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Impaired postoperative GI function was closely related to symptoms or worse alimentary status.
Ospemifene May Not Treat Vulvar Atrophy: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Goldstein Andrew T. , King Michelle A.
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Ospemifene (Osphena, Shionogi Inc, Florham, NJ, USA) is an estrogen agonist and antagonist approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration for the treatment of “moderate to severe dyspareunia, a symptom of vulvar and vaginal atrophy, due to menopause.” Although published, peer-reviewed, placebo-controlled studies have shown objective improvement in dyspareunia and in vaginal atrophy, there are no published data that have assessed changes in vulvar atrophy after the use of ospemifene.

Aim

To present two cases of women with severe vulvar atrophy that showed no improvement with the use of ospemifene.

Methods

A review of two recent cases of a clinic specializing in the treatment of vulvovaginal disorders was performed. Case 1 was a 53-year-old menopausal woman who presented with non-provoked vulvar and vaginal discomfort and introital dyspareunia. She had used ospemifene 60 mg/d for 1.5 years without improvement in her symptoms before presentation. Case 2 was a 57-year-old menopausal woman who also presented with non-provoked vulvar rawness, burning, irritation, vaginal dryness, and introital dyspareunia. She had started ospemifene 60 mg/d 1 year before presentation and reported mild improvement in her vaginal dryness but no improvement in her vulvar irritation or introital dyspareunia.

Main Outcome Measures

Change in vulvar atrophy and introital dyspareunia.

Conclusion

These cases highlight the need to perform additional clinical trials that specifically assess the efficacy of ospemifene for changes in vulvar atrophy.
Wrapping up a century of splashes
Authors: van der Meer Devaraj
Published: June 2016

Few fluid phenomena are as beautiful, fragile and ephemeral as the crown splash that is created by the impact of an object on a liquid. The crown-shaped phenomenon and the physics behind it have mesmerised and intrigued scientists for over a century, and still the scientific world has not yet uncovered all of the secrets of the splash. This is exemplified in a particularly striking manner in Marston et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 794, 2016, pp. 506–529) where a 6 m tall vacuum chamber is employed to study the splash formed upon impact of a sphere onto a deep liquid pool, at both atmospheric and reduced ambient pressures. They shed light into the classical problem of the surface seal and study the buckling of the splash. With an almost magical touch they devise a method to create a splash without the liquid and the sphere ever coming into contact. The images that accompany the paper – taken with state-of-the-art high-speed cameras – are as stunning as the physics that is uncovered in them.
Dynamics of hemiwicking
Authors: Kim Jungchul , Moon Myoung-Woon , Kim Ho-Young
Published: June 2016

Hemiwicking refers to the spreading of a liquid on a rough hydrophilic surface driven by capillarity. Here, we construct scaling laws to predict the velocity of hemiwicking on a rough substrate and experimentally corroborate them with various arrangements and dimensions of micropillar arrays. At the macroscopic scale, where the wetting front appears parallel to the free surface of the reservoir, the wicking distance is shown to grow diffusively, i.e. like $t^{1/2}$ with $t$ being time. We show that our model is consistent with pillar arrays of a wide range of pitch-to-height ratios, either square or skewed. At the microscopic scale, where the meniscus extension from individual pillars at the wetting front is considered, the extension distance begins to grow like $t$ but the spreading slows down to behave like $t^{1/3}$ when the meniscus is far from the pillar. Our microscopic flow modelling allows us to find pillar spacing conditions under which the assumption of densely spaced pillars is valid.
Tidal bending and strand cracks at the Kamb Ice Stream grounding line, West Antarctica
Authors: HULBE CHRISTINA L. , KLINGER MARIN , MASTERSON MEGAN , CATANIA GINNY , CRUIKSHANK KENNETH , BUGNI ANDREA
Published: June 2016

An extensive set of shore-parallel fractures are observed at the grounding line of Kamb Ice Stream (KIS) in West Antarctica. Seismicity measured in the grounding zone is, as elsewhere around Antarctica, tidally forced and moreover strand cracks propagate nearly exclusively on the falling tide. Measured surface deflection and a model of fracture propagation are used to conclude that bending on the falling tide favors propagation while bending on the rising tide suppresses propagation. Without the perturbation due to tidal bending, strand cracks would be rare and appear farther downstream than observed. We speculate that the very large number of cracks observed at KIS is due to the stagnant-to-floating transition at that grounding line, which allows cyclic bending of the same ice and relatively large stretching rates.
THE HANF NUMBER FOR AMALGAMATION OF COLORING CLASSES
Authors: KOLESNIKOV ALEXEI , LAMBIE-HANSON CHRIS
Published: June 2016

We study amalgamation properties in a family of abstract elementary classes that we call coloring classes. The family includes the examples previously studied in [3]. We establish that the amalgamation property is equivalent to the disjoint amalgamation property in all coloring classes; find the Hanf number for the amalgamation property for coloring classes; and improve the results of [3] by showing, in ZFC, that the (disjoint) amalgamation property for classes Kα studied in that paper must hold up to ℶα (only a consistency result was previously known).
SEPARABLY CLOSED VALUED FIELDS: QUANTIFIER ELIMINATION
Authors: HONG JIZHAN
Published: June 2016

It is proved in this article that the theory of separably closed nontrivially valued fields of characteristic p > 0 and imperfection degree e > 0 (e ≤ ∞) has quantifier elimination in the language ${{\cal L}_{p,{\rm{div}}}} = \{ + , - , \times ,0,1\} \cup {\{ {\lambda _{n,j}}(x;{y_1}, \ldots ,{y_n})\} _{0 \le n < \omega ,0 \le j < {p^n}}} \cup \{ |\}$; in particular, when e is finite, the corresponding theory has quantifier elimination in the language ${\cal L} = \{ + , - , \times ,0,1\} \cup \{ {b_1}, \ldots ,{b_e}\} \cup {\{ {\lambda _{e,j}}(x;{b_1}, \ldots ,{b_e})\} _{0 \le j < {p^e}}} \cup \{ |\}$.
Increased 14C AMS Efficiency from Reduced Competitive Ionization
Authors: Vogel John S , Giacomo Jason A
Published: June 2016

Observation of 80 µA/mm2 C– current from a 0.5-mm-diameter sample compared to 20 µA/mm2 from a 1-mm-diameter sample contradicts the long-held surface ionization hypothesis of cesium sputter ion source operation. Resonant ionization occurs in neutral Cs plasma above a sample in a sputtered pit or well. A collision-radiation model of that plasma followed electronic excitation and radiation relaxation up to the Cs(7d) state. The Cs(5d) metastable state dominates plasma in a 1-mm-diameter well, but high electron densities in narrow wells drive a majority to Cs(7d) and higher. Competitive ionization by Al2 dimers from the sample holder reduces Cs(7s,p) states resonant in ionization energy with C–. Al anions from states above Cs(7p) in narrow wells also diminish radiation cascades to the Cs(7s,p), reducing C–. We tested sample wells of non-ionizing Zn to maintain high ionization efficiency for small samples in narrow wells.
Presidential address: Experimenting with the scientific past
Authors: RADICK GREGORY
Published: June 2016

When it comes to knowledge about the scientific pasts that might have been – the so-called ‘counterfactual’ history of science – historians can either debate its possibility or get on with the job. Taking the latter course means re-engaging with some of the most general questions about science. It can also lead to fresh insights into why particular episodes unfolded as they did and not otherwise. Drawing on recent research into the controversy over Mendelism in the early twentieth century, this address reports and reflects on a novel teaching experiment conducted in order to find out what biology and its students might be like now had the controversy gone differently. The results suggest a number of new options: for the collection of evidence about the counterfactual scientific past, for the development of collaborations between historians of science and science educators, for the cultivation of more productive relationships between scientists and their forebears, and for heightened self-awareness about the curiously counterfactual business of being historical.
ASYMPTOTIC ANALYSIS OF OPTIMAL NESTED GROUP-TESTING PROCEDURES
Authors: Zaman Nabil , Pippenger Nicholas
Published: June 2016

We analyze a construction for optimal nested group-testing procedures, and show that, when individuals are independently positive with probability p, the expected number of tests per positive individual, F*(p), has, as p→0, the asymptotic behavior
$$F^{\ast}(p) = \log_2 {1\over p} + \log_2 \log 2 + 2 + f\left(\log_2 {1\over p} + \log_2 \log 2\right) + O(p),$$
where
$$f(z) = 4\times 2^{-2^{1-\{z\}}} - \{z\} - 1,$$
and {z}=z−⌊z⌋ is the fractional part of z. The function f(z) is a periodic function (with period 1) that exhibits small oscillations (with magnitude <0.005) about an even smaller average value (<0.0005).
Bilingual deaf readers’ use of semantic and syntactic cues in the processing of English relative clauses
Authors: PIÑAR PILAR , CARLSON MATTHEW T. , MORFORD JILL P. , DUSSIAS PAOLA E.
Published: June 2016

Eye fixation measures were used to examine English relative clause processing by adult ASL–English bilingual deaf readers. Participants processed subject relative clauses faster than object relative clauses, but expected animacy cues eliminated processing difficulty in object relative clauses. This brings into question previous claims that deaf readers’ sentence processing strategies are qualitatively different from those of hearing English native speakers. Measures of English comprehension predicted reading speed, but not differences in syntactic processing. However, a trend for ASL self-ratings to predict the ability to handle syntactic complexity approached significance. Results suggest a need to explore how objective ASL proficiency measures might provide insights into deaf readers’ ability to exploit syntactic cues in English.
Status, genetic diversity and gaps in sorghum germplasm from South Asia conserved at ICRISAT genebank
Authors: Upadhyaya H. D. , Reddy K. N. , Vetriventhan M. , Krishna Gumma Murali , Irshad Ahmed M. , Thimma Reddy M. , Singh Shailesh Kumar
Published: June 2016

The genebank at ICRISAT, India that serves as a world repository for sorghum germplasm conserves 39,234 accessions from 93 countries, including 6249 from seven South Asian countries: Afghanistan (6), Bangladesh (9), India (6101), the Maldives (10), Nepal (8), Pakistan (90) and Sri Lanka (25). A total of 5340 georeferenced accessions were used to identify gaps, and 5322 accessions that were characterized at ICRISAT were used to assess the diversity in the collection. Accessions of basic races varied widely than those of intermediate races for flowering in the postrainy season, plant height in both rainy and postrainy seasons, panicle exsertion, panicle length and width, seed size and 100 seed weight. Landraces from India were late flowering, tall and produced stout panicles and larger seeds. Landraces from Pakistan flowered early in both seasons and produced stout panicles and those from Sri Lanka were late flowering and tall in both seasons, produced more basal tillers and stout panicles. A total of 110 districts in 20 provinces of India, 13 districts in three provinces of Pakistan, three districts in Bangladesh and five districts in four provinces of Sri Lanka were identified as geographical gaps. Sorghum bicolor subsp. verticilliflorum, S. halepense and S. propinquum were identified as taxonomic gaps in the collection. Therefore, it is suggested to explore the districts identified as gaps to enrich the variability in the world collection of sorghum at ICRISAT.
From Anglo-Saxon Nativism to Executive Order: Civil Religion and Anti-Immigration Rhetoric
Authors: O'Leary Ryan T.
Published: June 2016

This article examines one aspect of current disagreements over immigration reform — Anglo-Saxon nativist rhetoric — through the lens of civil religion. It argues that the idea of America as a “New Jerusalem” can sometimes take on a nativist and even ethno-centric cast. The analysis uses two case studies to articulate the ways in which this nativism can play out in terms of civil religion: Patrick J. Buchanan's folding of immigration concerns into his culture wars rhetoric and some of the far-right rhetoric coming out of the 2016 presidential race in America. This sort of rhetoric can also be found surrounding President Obama's executive action on immigration. The analysis shows that these fears combine a view of American “chosenness” with a sense of existential threat generated by rapid demographic changes. However, while this rhetoric is grounded in civil religion, it is also a symptom of the corruption of the prophetic core of American civil religion.
Insights into Long-Standing Bias in Cloud Property Retrieval
Authors: Shultz David
Published: June 2016

A new framework provides a more comprehensive view of how subpixel variations can create biases in a commonly used method of analyzing cloud properties with satellites.
UtpA and UtpB chaperone nascent pre-ribosomal RNA and U3 snoRNA to initiate eukaryotic ribosome assembly
Authors: Hunziker Mirjam , Barandun Jonas , Petfalski Elisabeth , Tan Dongyan , Delan-Forino Clémentine , Molloy Kelly R. , Kim Kelly H. , Dunn-Davies Hywel , Shi Yi , Chaker-Margot Malik , Chait Brian T. , Walz Thomas , Tollervey David , Klinge Sebastian
Published: June 2016

Early eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis involves large multi-protein complexes, which co-transcriptionally associate with pre-ribosomal RNA to form the small subunit processome. The precise mechanisms by which two of the largest multi-protein complexes—UtpA and UtpB—interact with nascent pre-ribosomal RNA are poorly understood. Here, we combined biochemical and structural biology approaches with ensembles of RNA–protein cross-linking data to elucidate the essential functions of both complexes. We show that UtpA contains a large composite RNA-binding site and captures the 5′ end of pre-ribosomal RNA. UtpB forms an extended structure that binds early pre-ribosomal intermediates in close proximity to architectural sites such as an RNA duplex formed by the 5′ ETS and U3 snoRNA as well as the 3′ boundary of the 18S rRNA. Both complexes therefore act as vital RNA chaperones to initiate eukaryotic ribosome assembly.
MLP and CARP are linked to chronic PKCα signalling in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Lange Stephan , Gehmlich Katja , Lun Alexander S. , Blondelle Jordan , Hooper Charlotte , Dalton Nancy D. , Alvarez Erika A. , Zhang Xiaoyu , Bang Marie-Louise , Abassi Yama A. , dos Remedios Cristobal G. , Peterson Kirk L. , Chen Ju , Ehler Elisabeth
Published: June 2016

MLP (muscle LIM protein)-deficient mice count among the first mouse models for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), yet the exact role of MLP in cardiac signalling processes is still enigmatic. Elevated PKCα signalling activity is known to be an important contributor to heart failure. Here we show that MLP directly inhibits the activity of PKCα. In end-stage DCM, PKCα is concentrated at the intercalated disc of cardiomyocytes, where it is sequestered by the adaptor protein CARP in a multiprotein complex together with PLCβ1. In mice deficient for both MLP and CARP the chronic PKCα signalling chain at the intercalated disc is broken and they remain healthy. Our results suggest that the main role of MLP in heart lies in the direct inhibition of PKCα and that chronic uninhibited PKCα activity at the intercalated disc in the absence of functional MLP leads to heart failure.
Treadmill exercise within lower-body negative pressure attenuates simulated spaceflight-induced reductions of balance abilities in men but not women
Authors: Macaulay Timothy R , Macias Brandon R , Lee Stuart MC , Boda Wanda L , Watenpaugh Donald E , Hargens Alan R
Published: June 2016

Spaceflight causes sensorimotor adaptations that result in balance deficiencies on return to a gravitational environment. Treadmill exercise within lower-body negative pressure (LBNP) helps protect physiological function during microgravity as simulated by bed rest. Therefore, we hypothesized that treadmill exercise within LBNP would prevent balance losses in both male and female identical twins during 30 days of 6° head-down tilt bed rest. Fifteen (seven female and eight male) identical twin sets participated in this simulation of microgravity. Within each twin pair, one twin was randomly assigned to an exercise group that performed 40 min of supine treadmill exercise within LBNP set to generate 1.0–1.2 body weight, followed by 5 min of static feet-supported LBNP, 6 days per week. Their identical sibling was assigned to a non-exercise control group with all other bed rest conditions equivalent. Before and immediately after bed rest, subjects completed standing and walking rail balance tests with eyes open and eyes closed. In control subjects, standing rail balance times (men: −42%, women: −40%), rail walk distances (men: −44%, women: −32%) and rail walk times (men: −34%, women: −31%) significantly decreased after bed rest. Compared with controls, treadmill exercise within LBNP significantly attenuated losses of standing rail balance time by 63% in men, but the 41% attenuation in women was not significant. Treadmill exercise within LBNP did not affect rail walk abilities in men or women. Treadmill exercise within LBNP during simulated spaceflight attenuates loss of balance control in men but not in women.
MRA_1571 is required for isoleucine biosynthesis and improves Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra survival under stress
Authors: Sharma Rishabh , Keshari Deepa , Singh Kumar Sachin , Yadav Shailendra , Singh Sudheer Kumar
Published: June 2016

Threonine dehydratase is a pyridoxal 5-phosphate dependent enzyme required for isoleucine biosynthesis. Threonine dehydratase (IlvA) participates in conversion of threonine to 2-oxobutanoate and ammonia is released as a by-product. MRA_1571 is annotated to be coding for IlvA in Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra (Mtb-Ra). We developed a recombinant (KD) Mtb-Ra strain by down-regulating IlvA. The growth studies on different carbon sources suggested reduced growth of KD compared to wild-type (WT), also, isoleucine concentration dependent KD growth restoration was observed. The expression profiling of IlvA suggested increased expression of IlvA during oxygen, acid and oxidative stress. In addition, KD showed reduced survival under pH, starvation, nitric oxide and peroxide stresses. KD was more susceptible to antimycobacterial agents such as streptomycin (STR), rifampicin (RIF) and levofloxacin (LVF), while, no such effect was noticeable when exposed to isoniazid. Also, an increase in expression of IlvA was observed when exposed to STR, RIF and LVF. The dye accumulation studies suggested increased permeability of KD to ethidium bromide and Nile Red as compared to WT. TLC and Mass studies confirmed altered lipid profile of KD. In summary down-regulation of IlvA affects Mtb growth, increases its susceptibility to stress and leads to altered cell wall lipid profile.
A fossil Diploglossus (Squamata, Anguidae) lizard from Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre Islands (Guadeloupe, French West Indies)
Authors: Bochaton Corentin , Boistel Renaud , Casagrande Fabrice , Grouard Sandrine , Bailon Salvador
Published: June 2016

Today, Diploglossine lizards (Anguidae) are common on the Greater Antillean Islands (West Indies), where they are represented by many endemic species. However these lizards are very rare on the Lesser Antillean Islands, where they are only represented by a single species, the Montserrat galliwasp (Diploglossus montisserrati). Here, we show that diploglossine lizards were present in the past on other Lesser Antillean islands, by reporting the discovery of Anguidae fossil remains in two Amerindian archaeological deposits and in a modern deposit. These remains are compared to skeletons of extant diploglossine lizards, includingD. montisserrati, using X-ray microtomography of the type specimen of this critically endangered lizard. We also conducted a histological study of the osteoderms in order to estimate the putative age of the specimen. Our results show that the fossil specimens correspond to a member of theDiploglossusgenus presenting strong similarities, but also minor morphological differences withD. montisserrati, although we postulate that these differences are not sufficient to warrant the description of a new species. These specimens, identified asDiploglossussp., provide a new comparison point for the study of fossil diploglossine lizards and reflect the historical 17thcentury mentions of anguid lizards, which had not been observed since.
In vitro and in vivo study of epigallocatechin-3-gallate-induced apoptosis in aerobic glycolytic hepatocellular carcinoma cells involving inhibition of phosphofructokinase activity
Authors: Li Sainan , Wu Liwei , Feng Jiao , Li Jingjing , Liu Tong , Zhang Rong , Xu Shizan , Cheng Keran , Zhou Yuqing , Zhou Shunfeng , Kong Rui , Chen Kan , Wang Fan , Xia Yujing , Lu Jie , Zhou Yingqun , Dai Weiqi , Guo Chuanyong
Published: June 2016

Glycolysis, as an altered cancer cell-intrinsic metabolism, is an essential hallmark of cancer. Phosphofructokinase (PFK) is a metabolic sensor in the glycolytic pathway and restricting the substrate availability for this enzyme has been researched extensively as a target for chemotherapy. In the present study, we investigated that the effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), an active component of green tea, on inhibiting cell growth and inducing apoptosis by promoting a metabolic shift away from glycolysis in aerobic glycolytic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. EGCG modulated the oligomeric structure of PFK, potentially leading to metabolic stress associated apoptosis and suggesting that EGCG acts by directly suppressing PFK activity. A PFK activity inhibitor enhanced the effect, while the allosteric activator reversed EGCG-induced HCC cell death. PFK siRNA knockdown-induced apoptosis was not reversed by the activator. EGCG enhanced the effect of sorafenib on cell growth inhibition in both aerobic glycolytic HCC cells and in a xenograft mouse model. The present study suggests a potential role for EGCG as an adjuvant in cancer therapy, which merits further investigation at the clinical level.
Autism phenotypes in ZnT3 null mice: Involvement of zinc dyshomeostasis, MMP-9 activation and BDNF upregulation
Authors: Yoo Min Heui , Kim Tae-Youn , Yoon Young Hee , Koh Jae-Young
Published: June 2016

To investigate the role of synaptic zinc in the ASD pathogenesis, we examined zinc transporter 3 (ZnT3) null mice. At 4–5 weeks of age, male but not female ZnT3 null mice exhibited autistic-like behaviors. Cortical volume and neurite density were significantly greater in male ZnT3 null mice than in WT mice. In male ZnT3 null mice, consistent with enhanced neurotrophic stimuli, the level of BDNF as well as activity of MMP-9 was increased. Consistent with known roles for MMPs in BDNF upregulation, 2.5-week treatment with minocycline, an MMP inhibitor, significantly attenuated BDNF levels as well as megalencephaly and autistic-like behaviors. Although the ZnT3 null state removed synaptic zinc, it rather increased free zinc in the cytosol of brain cells, which appeared to increase MMP-9 activity and BDNF levels. The present results suggest that zinc dyshomeostasis during the critical period of brain development may be a possible contributing mechanism for ASD.
Disturbance-specific social responses in long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala melas
Authors: Visser Fleur , Curé Charlotte , Kvadsheim Petter H. , Lam Frans-Peter A. , Tyack Peter L. , Miller Patrick J. O.
Published: June 2016

Social interactions among animals can influence their response to disturbance. We investigated responses of long-finned pilot whales to killer whale sound playbacks and two anthropogenic sources of disturbance: tagging effort and naval sonar exposure. The acoustic scene and diving behaviour of tagged individuals were recorded along with the social behaviour of their groups. All three disturbance types resulted in larger group sizes, increasing social cohesion during disturbance. However, the nature and magnitude of other responses differed between disturbance types. Tagging effort resulted in a clear increase in synchrony and a tendency to reduce surface logging and to become silent (21% of cases), whereas pilot whales increased surface resting during sonar exposure. Killer whale sounds elicited increased calling rates and the aggregation of multiple groups, which approached the sound source together. This behaviour appears to represent a mobbing response, a likely adaptive social defence against predators or competitors. All observed response-tactics would reduce risk of loss of group coordination, suggesting that, in social pilot whales, this could drive behavioural responses to disturbance. However, the behavioural means used to achieve social coordination depends upon other considerations, which are disturbance-specific.
High-throughput sequencing reveals differential regulation of miRNAs in fenoxaprop-P-ethyl-resistant Beckmannia syzigachne
Authors: Pan Lang , Wang Zhaoyun , Cai Jia , Gao Haitao , Zhao Hongwei , Dong Liyao
Published: June 2016

Non-target site resistance (NTSR) to herbicides is an increasing concern for weed control. The majority of previous studies have focused on metabolic resistance mechanisms of NTSR, but no research exists on gene regulation mechanisms behind herbicide resistance, such as microRNA (miRNA). Here, we identified 3 American sloughgrass (Beckmannia syzigachne Steud.) populations containing fenoxaprop-P-ethyl-resistant plants. We then constructed small RNA libraries and subjected them to deep sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. Forty known and 36 potentially novel, predicted miRNAs were successfully identified. Of these, we identified 3 conserved, predicted candidate NTSR-determinant miRNAs and their potential corresponding target genes, as well as 4 novel potential miRNAs with high count. Target gene prediction and annotation indicated that these 7 differentially expressed miRNAs potentially play a role in regulating specific stress-responsive genes, very likely related to herbicide resistance. Expression profiles were determined with quantitative real-time PCR. The present study is a novel, large-scale characterization of weed miRNAs. The results should further our understanding of miRNA expression profiles associated with herbicide resistance, allowing for the development of more effective weed management strategies.
Dynamic functional characterization and phylogenetic changes due to Long Chain Fatty Acids pulses in biogas reactors
Authors: Kougias Panagiotis G. , Treu Laura , Campanaro Stefano , Zhu Xinyu , Angelidaki Irini
Published: June 2016

The process stability of biogas plants is often deteriorated by the accumulation of Long Chain Fatty Acids (LCFA). The microbial community shifts due to LCFA disturbances have been poorly understood as the molecular techniques used were not able to identify the genome characteristics of uncultured microorganisms and additionally, the presence of limited number of reference genomes in public databases prevented the comprehension of specific functional roles characterizing these microorganisms. The present study is the first research which deciphers by means of high throughput shotgun sequencing the dynamics of the microbial community during an inhibitory shock load induced by single pulses of unsaturated LCFA at two different concentrations (i.e. 2 g/L-reactor and 3 g/L-reactor). The metagenomic analysis showed that only the microbes associated with LCFA degradation could encode proteins related to “chemotaxis” and “flagellar assembly”, which promoted the ability to move towards the LCFA sources so as to degrade them. Moreover, the syntrophic interactions found between Syntrophomonas sp. together with Methanosarcina sp. were possibly assigned to the menaquinone-electron transfer. Finally, it was proven that a previously exposed to LCFA inoculum is more efficient in the degradation process of LCFA due to the specialization of the microbial consortium.
Extrinsic allospecific signals of hematopoietic origin dictate iNKT cell lineage-fate decisions during development
Authors: Strong Beverly S. I. , Newkold Tess J. , Lee Amanda E. , Turner Lucas E. , Alhajjat Amir M. , Heusel Jonathan W. , Shaaban Aimen F.
Published: June 2016

Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are critical to the maintenance of tolerance toward alloantigens encountered during postnatal life pointing to the existence of a process for self-education. However, the impact of developmentally encountered alloantigens in shaping the phenotype and function of iNKT cells has not been described. To better understand this process, the current report examined naïve iNKT cells as they matured in an allogeneic environment. Following the prenatal transfer of fetal hematopoietic cells between age-matched allogeneic murine fetuses, cell-extrinsic signals appeared to dictate allospecific patterns of Ly49 receptor expression and lineage diversity in developing iNKT cells. Regulation for this process arose from cells of hematopoietic origin requiring only rare exposure to facilitate broad changes in developing iNKT cells. These findings highlight surprisingly asymmetric allospecific alterations in iNKT cells as they develop and mature in an allogeneic environment and establish a new paradigm for study of the self-education of iNKT cells.
Synthetic small molecule GLP-1 secretagogues prepared by means of a three-component indole annulation strategy
Authors: Chepurny Oleg G. , Leech Colin A. , Tomanik Martin , DiPoto Maria C. , Li Hui , Han Xinping , Meng Qinghe , Cooney Robert N. , Wu Jimmy , Holz George G.
Published: June 2016

Rational assembly of small molecule libraries for purposes of drug discovery requires an efficient approach in which the synthesis of bioactive compounds is enabled so that numerous structurally related compounds of a similar basic formulation can be derived. Here, we describe (4 + 3) and (3 + 2) indole annulation strategies that quickly generate complex indole heterocycle libraries that contain novel cyclohepta- and cyclopenta[b]indoles, respectively. Screening of one such library comprised of these indoles identifies JWU-A021 to be an especially potent stimulator of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion in vitro. Surprisingly, JWU-A021 is also a potent stimulator of Ca2+ influx through TRPA1 cation channels (EC50ca. 200 nM), thereby explaining its ability to stimulate GLP-1 release. Of additional importance, the available evidence indicates that JWU-A021 is one of the most potent non-electrophilic TRPA-1 channel agonists yet to be reported in the literature.
A newly discovered member of the Atlastin family, BmAtlastin-n, has an antiviral effect against BmNPV in Bombyx mori
Authors: Liu Tai-hang , Dong Xiao-long , Pan Cai-xia , Du Guo-yu , Wu Yun-fei , Yang Ji-gui , Chen Peng , Lu Cheng , Pan Min-hui
Published: June 2016

Atlastin is a member of the dynamin protein superfamily and it can mediate homotypic fusion of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes, which is required for many biological processes. In this study, a new Atlastin homologous protein, BmAtlastin-n, was characterized in silkworms and was found to contain an N-terminal conserved GTPase domain and a coiled-coil middle domain. BmAtlastin-n is localized in the cytoplasm and enriched in silkworm midgut. Results also showed that overexpression of BmAtlastin-n in BmN-SWU1 cells could enhance resistance to BmNPV. To better confirm its antiviral effect, microRNA was used to knock down the expression of BmAtlastin-n in BmE-SWU1 cells with inducing the reproduction of BmNPV. A transgenic expression vector of BmAtlastin-n was constructed and introduced to silkworm embryos by microinjection. The transgenic silkworm also showed considerable antiviral capacity. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that BmAtlastin-n plays an important role in BmNPV defense. More importantly, the current study may provide a new clue for Atlastin research.
Cyclophilin A protects mice against infection by influenza A virus
Authors: Li Jing , Chen Can , Wong Gary , Dong Wei , Zheng Weinan , Li Yun , Sun Lei , Zhang Lianfeng , Gao George F. , Bi Yuhai , Liu Wenjun
Published: June 2016

Our previous studies indicate that Cyclophilin A (CypA) impairs the replication of influenza A virus in vitro. To further evaluate the antiviral functions of CypA and explore its mechanism, transgenic mice with overexpression of CypA by two specific promoters with SPC (CypA-SPC) or CMV (CypA-CMV) were developed. After challenge with the A/WSN/33(H1N1) influenza virus, CypA-SPC and CypA-CMV transgenic mice displayed nearly 2.5- and 3.8-fold stronger disease resistance to virus infection, respectively, compared to wild-type animals. Virus replication, pathological lesions and inflammatory cytokines were substantially reduced in both lines of transgenic mice. In addition, after infection there was an upregulation of genes associated with cell migration, immune function and organ development; and a downregulation of genes associated with the positive regulation of immune cells and apoptosis in the peritoneal macrophages of CypA-overexpressing transgenic mice (CypA+). These results indicate that CypA is a key modulator of influenza virus resistance in mice and that CypA+ mice constitutes an important model to study the roles of CypA in the regulation of immune responses and infections.
A novel method for quantification of decabromodiphenyl ether in plastics without sample preparation using direct insertion probe – magnetic sector high resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Guzzonato A. , Mehlmann H. , Krumwiede D. , Harrad S.
Published: June 2016

We report a rapid, efficient analytical method for detecting Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) in plastic materials using direct insertion probe with double focusing magnetic sector high resolution mass spectrometry.
The ionic transport mechanism and coupling between the ion conduction and segmental relaxation processes of PEO20-LiCF3SO3 based ion conducting polymer clay composites
Authors: Dam Tapabrata , Jena Sidhartha S. , Pradhan Dillip K.
Published: June 2016

An insight into thermally activated ion-hopping, relaxation dynamics and the coupled ion-conduction mechanism observed in ion-conducting polymer clay composites.
Structural investigation of supported Cun clusters under vacuum and ambient air conditions using EXAFS spectroscopy
Authors: Peredkov S. , Peters S. , Al-Hada M. , Erko A. , Neeb M. , Eberhardt W.
Published: June 2016

Structural analysis of deposited nanoclusters using extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy.
Single cell dual adherent-suspension co-culture micro-environment for studying tumor–stromal interactions with functionally selected cancer stem-like cells
Authors: Chen Yu-Chih , Zhang Zhixiong , Fouladdel Shamileh , Deol Yadwinder , Ingram Patrick N. , McDermott Sean P. , Azizi Ebrahim , Wicha Max S. , Yoon Euisik
Published: June 2016

An adherent-suspension cellular co-culture platform was developed for single-cell derived sphere formation and the spheres were retrieved for single-cell transcriptome analysis.
Unidirectional light scattering with high efficiency at optical frequencies based on low-loss dielectric nanoantennas
Authors: Shibanuma Toshihiko , Albella Pablo , Maier Stefan A.
Published: June 2016

Efficient unidirectional scattering can be achieved from the interference of electric and magnetic modes excited in asymmetric dielectric dimers.
A star-shaped amphiphilic block copolymer with dual responses: synthesis, crystallization, self-assembly, redox and LCST–UCST thermoresponsive transition
Authors: Yuan Hua , Chi Hai , Yuan Weizhong
Published: June 2016

The micelles/aggregates that were self-assembled from a star-shaped copolymer presented redox-responsive behaviour and LCST–UCST thermoresponsive transition.
Surface-modified spherical activated carbon for high carbon loading and its desalting performance in flow-electrode capacitive deionization
Authors: Park Hong-ran , Choi Jiyeon , Yang Seungcheol , Kwak Sung Jo , Jeon Sung-il , Han Moon Hee , Kim Dong Kook
Published: June 2016

We fabricated surface modified activated carbons covered with ion-selective polymer. These materials can be used as powerful dispersants and flow electrodes, and improved desalting efficiency by high carbon loading via electrostatic repulsion.
Pt decorated Artocarpus heterophyllus seed derived carbon as an anode catalyst for DMFC application
Authors: Rupa kasturi P. , Selvan R. Kalai , Lee Yun Sung
Published: June 2016

A carbohydrate rich biomass is hydrothermally carbonized and thermally degraded to sequester high surfaced carbon. Subsequently, the prepared carbon is decorated with Pt NPs and is executed as an anode catalyst for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR).
Fabrication of TiO2–graphene composite for the enhanced performance of lithium batteries
Authors: Cen Yinjie , Yao Yuqin , Xu Quan , Xia Zhenhai , Sisson Richard D. , Liang Jianyu
Published: June 2016

The controllable synthesis of TiO2 nanostructures with a conformal and ultrathin graphitic carbon coating is critically desirable for new anode material development for Li-ion batteries.
Synthetic approaches to nucleopeptides containing all four nucleobases, and nucleic acid-binding studies on a mixed-sequence nucleo-oligolysine
Authors: Roviello Giovanni N. , Musumeci Domenica
Published: June 2016

In this article we describe two solid-phase synthetic routes to obtain a nucleo-oligolysine α-peptide containing all four natural nucleobases.
Effect of angular displacement amplitude on the torsional fretting corrosion behavior of CoCrMo alloy in different synovial fluid
Authors: Wang Songquan , Zhang Dekun , Hu Ningning , Zhang Jialu
Published: June 2016

The wear mechanism of torsional fretting in this paper was mainly the joint action of abrasive wear, corrosion wear and adhesive wear.
Selective chromo-fluorogenic molecular sensor for dual channel recognition of Cu2+and F−: effect of functional group on selectivity
Authors: Ghosh Soumen , Ganguly Aniruddha , Bhattacharyya Arghyadeep , Alam Md. Akhtarul , Guchhait Nikhil
Published: June 2016

The amido-Schiff base (3-hydroxy-naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid(4-cyano-benzylidene)-hydrazide) shows dual mode sensibility towards Cu2+and F−. It can detect Cu2+in HEK 293 cells and F−in tooth paste and in solid state.
Delayed hepatic uptake of multi-phosphonic acid poly(ethylene glycol) coated iron oxide measured by real-time magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Ramniceanu G. , Doan B.-T. , Vezignol C. , Graillot A. , Loubat C. , Mignet N. , Berret J.-F.
Published: June 2016

We report on the synthesis, characterization, stability and pharmacokinetics of novel iron based contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
BiPO4/Bi2S3-HKUST-1-MOF as a novel blue light-driven photocatalyst for simultaneous degradation of toluidine blue and auramine-O dyes in a new rotating packed bed reactor: optimization and comparison to a conventional reactor
Authors: Mosleh S. , Rahimi M. R. , Ghaedi M. , Dashtian K. , Hajati S.
Published: June 2016

BiPO4/Bi2S3-HKUST-1-MOF as a novel blue light active photocatalyst was synthesized and characterized by X-ray XRD, SEM, PL, BET, BJH and DRS.
Unstable crack propagation in LAPONITE® gels: selection of a sinusoidal mode in an electric field
Authors: Hazra Somasri , Sircar Sudeshna , Khatun Tajkera , Choudhury Moutushi Dutta , Giri Abhra , Karmakar Sanat , Dutta Tapati , Das Shantanu , Tarafdar Sujata
Published: June 2016

We report observation of wavy cracks and naturally patterned fracture surfaces in drying LAPONITE® paste.
On-chip thermo-triggered coalescence of controllable Pickering emulsion droplet pairs
Authors: Sun Jian , Wang Wei , He Fan , Chen Zhi-Hao , Xie Rui , Ju Xiao-Jie , Liu Zhuang , Chu Liang-Yin
Published: June 2016

Continuous thermo-triggered one-to-one coalescence of controllable Pickering emulsion droplet pairs, is successfully achieved in microchannels and provides a novel mode for droplet-based microreactors and microdetectors.
Coumarin-based thiosemicarbazones as potent urease inhibitors: synthesis, solid state self-assembly and molecular docking
Authors: Hameed Aminah , Yaqub Muhammad , Hussain Mazhar , Hameed Abdul , Ashraf Muhammad , Asghar Humna , Quart-ul-Ain Quart-ul-Ain , Naseer Muhammad Moazzam , Mahmood Khalid , Muddassar Muhammad , Tahir Muhammad Nawaz , Shafiq Zahid
Published: June 2016

A series of coumarin-based thiosemicarbazones and their metal complexes have been synthesized and theirin vitropotency against urease was evaluated.
Phenolic composition, antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of ethanol and water extracts of Chenopodium botrys
Authors: Ozer Mehmet Sabih , Sarikurkcu Cengiz , Tepe Bektas
Published: June 2016

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the phenolic composition, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibitory activities of ethanol and water extracts of Chenopodium botrys L.
Vinyl sulfone-activated silica for efficient covalent immobilization of alkaline unstable enzymes: application to levansucrase for fructooligosaccharide synthesis
Authors: Santos-Moriano P. , Monsalve-Ledesma L. , Ortega-Muñoz M. , Fernandez-Arrojo L. , Ballesteros A. O. , Santoyo-Gonzalez F. , Plou F. J.
Published: June 2016

Vinyl sulfone-silica was efficient to covalently immobilize levansucrase at neutral pH. LEV-VS showed altered selectivity towards FOS and good operational stability.
Cell-sized liposome doublets reveal active tension build-up driven by acto-myosin dynamics
Authors: Caorsi V. , Lemière J. , Campillo C. , Bussonnier M. , Manzi J. , Betz T. , Plastino J. , Carvalho K. , Sykes C.
Published: June 2016

Quantitative measurements of tension generated by an artificial actomyosin cortex reconstituted at the outer surface of liposome doublets, as sweetly schematized by halves of Italian cookies “baci di dama” that happen to stick.
Template-free fabrication of nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheres for high-performance supercapacitors based on a scalable homopolymer vesicle
Authors: Sun Hui , Zhu Yunqing , Yang Bo , Wang Yanfang , Wu Yuping , Du Jianzhong
Published: June 2016

Nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheres were prepared from scalable homopolymer vesicles and used as the electrode materials of high-performance supercapacitors.
Equipping an adsorbent with an indicator: a novel composite to simultaneously detect and remove heavy metals from water
Authors: Jiang Hualin , Zhang Weibo , Chen Pinghua , Zhang Weiwei , Wang Guoyao , Luo Xubiao , Luo Shenglian
Published: June 2016

A novel composite that can simultaneously detect and remove heavy metals was prepared in this study.
Carbon dots as a trackable drug delivery carrier for localized cancer therapy in vivo
Authors: Zeng Qinghui , Shao Dan , He Xu , Ren Zhongyuan , Ji Wenyu , Shan Chongxin , Qu Songnan , Li Jing , Chen Li , Li Qin
Published: June 2016

Green carbon dots with a carboxyl-rich surface were employed as a selective nanocarrier for fluorescent traceable and pH-sensitive Doxorubicin delivery in localized cancer treatment.
Aggregation-induced emission enhancement in boron difluoride complexes of 3-cyanoformazanates
Authors: Maar Ryan R. , Gilroy Joe B.
Published: June 2016

Boron difluoride (BF2) complexes of 3-cyanoformazanates exhibit aggregation-induced emission enhancement in THF–water mixtures due to their severely twistedN-aryl substituents which restrict intramolecular motion and π stacking upon aggregation.