bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Terrorism in Japan
Authors: Asai Yasufumi , L. Arnold Jeffrey
Published: August 2016

Although the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack probably was the most widely
reported terrorist event in Japan to date (5,500 injured, 12 dead), the
country has suffered numerous other large terrorism-related events in recent
decades, including bombings of the headquarters of Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries in Tokyo in 1974 (207 injured, 8 dead), the Hokkaido Prefectural
Government office building in Sapporo in 1976 (80 injured, 2 dead), and the
Yosakoi-Soran Festival in Sapporo in 2000 (10 injured, none dead). Japan
also has experienced two other mass-casualty terrorist events involving
chemical releases, including the 1994 Matsumoto sarin attack (600 injured, 7
dead) and the 1998 Wakayama arsenic incident (67 injured, 4 dead).

Until 1995, emergency management in Japan focused on planning and
preparedness at the local level for the frequent disasters caused by natural
events. Since that time, substantial progress has been made in advancing
emergency planning and preparedness for terrorism-related events, including
the designation of disaster centers in each prefecture, the implementation
of several education and training programs for nuclear, biological, and
chemical terrorism, and the establishment of a national Antiterrorism Office
within the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.
Disasters, Women's Health, and Conservative Society: Working in Pakistan with the Turkish Red Crescent following the South Asian Earthquake
Authors: Miller Andrew C. , Arquilla Bonnie
Published: August 2016

In recent years, numerous catastrophic disasters caused by natural hazards directed worldwide attention to medical relief efforts. These events included the: (1) 2003 earthquake in Bam, Iran; (2) 2004 earthquake and tsunami in Southeast Asia; (3) Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the southern United States in 2005;(4) 2005 south Asian earthquake; and (5) 2006 Indonesian volcanic eruption and earthquakes. Health disparities experienced by women during relief operations were a component of each of these events. This article focuses on the response of the Turkish Red Crescent Society's field hospital in northern Pakistan following the South Asian Earthquake of October 2005, and discusses how the international community has struggled to address women's health issues during international relief efforts. Furthermore, since many recent disasters occurred in culturally conservative South Asia and the local geologic activity indicates similar disaster-producing events are likely to continue, special emphasis is placed on response efforts. Lessons learned in Pakistan demonstrate how simple adjustments in community outreach, camp geography, staff distribution, and supplies can enhance the quality, delivery, and effectiveness of the care provided to women during international relief efforts.
Facing the Challenges in Human Resources for Humanitarian Health
Authors: Mowafi Hani , Nowak Kristin , Hein Karen ,   Human Resources Working Group
Published: August 2016

The human resources crisis in humanitarian health care parallels that seen in the broader area of health care. This crisis is exacerbated by the lack of resources in areas in which humanitarian action is needed—difficult environments that often are remote and insecure—and the requirement of specific skill sets is not routinely gained during traditional medical training. While there is ample data to suggest that health outcomes improve when worker density is increased, this remains an area of critical under-investment in humanitarian health care. In addition to under-investment, other factors limit the availability of human resources for health (HRH) in humanitarian work including: (1) over-reliance on degrees as surrogates for specific competencies; (2) under-development and under-utilization of national staff and beneficiaries as humanitarian health workers; (3) lack of standardized training modules to ensure adequate preparation for work in complex emergencies; (4) and the draining of limited available HRH from countries with low prevalence and high need to wealthier, developed nations also facing HRH shortages.

A working group of humanitarian health experts from implementing agencies, United Nations agencies, private and governmental financiers, and members of academia gathered at Hanover, New Hampshire for a conference to discuss elements of the HRH problem in humanitarian health care and how to solve them. Several key elements of successful solutions were highlighted, including: (1) the need to develop a set of standards of what would constitute “adequate training” for humanitarian health work; (2) increasing the utilization and professional development of national staff; (3) “training with a purpose” specific to humanitarian health work (not simply relying on professional degrees as surrogates); (4) and developing specific health taskbased competencies thereby increasing the pool of potential workers.

Such steps would accomplish several key goals, such as: (1) more confidently ensuring that individuals hired for a given post would have the capacity to function at a commonly understood level of training; (2) greatly increasing the potential number and types of workers available for humanitarian work;(3) increasing the efficiency of human resources utilization in humanitarian projects; and (4) recognition that humanitarian work is a multi-disciplinary endeavor: these goals will contribute to ensuring that humanitarian health workers have a minimum training in broader humanitarian action, making them more effective team members in the field.

Efforts were made to highlight some promising pilot programs for human resource development in humanitarian work, to identify a future vision for humanitarian health as a profession, and to develop a human resources strategy for achieving that vision.
Disaster Preparedness for Vulnerable Persons Receiving In-Home, Long-Term Care in South Carolina
Authors: Laditka Sarah B. , Laditka James N. , Cornman Carol B. , Davis Courtney B. , Chandlee Maggi J.
Published: August 2016

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to examine how agencies in South Carolina that provide in-home health care and personal care services help older and/or disabled clients to prepare for disasters.The study also examines how agencies safeguard clients' records, train staff, and how they could improve their preparedness.

Methods:

The relevant research and practice literature was reviewed. Nine public officials responsible for preparedness for in-home health care and personal care services in South Carolina were interviewed. A telephone survey instrument was developed that was based on these interviews and the literature review. Administrators from 16 agencies that provide in-home personal care to 2,147 clients, and five agencies that provide in-home health care to 2,180 clients, were interviewed. Grounded theory analysis identified major themes in the resulting qualitative data; thematic analysis organized the content.

Results:

Federal regulations require preparedness for agencies providing inhome health care (“home health”). No analogous regulations were found for in-home personal care. The degree of preparedness varied substantially among personal care agencies. Most personal care agencies were categorized as “less” prepared or “moderately” prepared. The findings for agencies in both categories generally suggest lack of preparedness in: (1) identifying clients at high risk and assisting them in planning; (2) providing written materials and/or recommendations; (3) protecting records; (4) educating staff and clients; and (5) coordinating disaster planning and response across agencies. Home health agencies were better prepared than were personal care agencies.

However, some home health administrators commented that they were unsure how well their plans would work during a disaster, given a lack of training. The majority of home health agency administrators spoke of a need for better coordination and/or more preparedness training.

Conclusions:

Agencies providing personal care and home health services would benefit from developing stronger linkages with their local preparedness systems. The findings support incorporating disaster planning in the certification requirements for home health agencies, and developing additional educational resources for administrators and staff of personal care agencies and their clients.
The separation of adult separation anxiety disorder
Authors: Baldwin David S. , Gordon Robert , Abelli Marianna , Pini Stefano
Published: August 2016

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) categorization of mental disorders places “separation anxiety disorder” within the broad group of anxiety disorders, and its diagnosis no longer rests on establishing an onset during childhood or adolescence. In previous editions of DSM, it was included within the disorders usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence, with the requirement for an onset of symptoms before the age of 18 years: symptomatic adults could only receive a retrospective diagnosis, based on establishing this early onset. The new position of separation anxiety disorder is based upon the findings of epidemiological studies that revealed the unexpectedly high prevalence of the condition in adults, often in individuals with an onset of symptoms after the teenage years; its prominent place within the DSM-5 group of anxiety disorders should encourage further research into its epidemiology, etiology, and treatment. This review examines the clinical features and boundaries of the condition, and offers guidance on how it can be distinguished from other anxiety disorders and other mental disorders in which “separation anxiety” may be apparent.
Distinct gene expression profile of Xanthomonas retroflexus engaged in synergistic multispecies biofilm formation
Authors: Hansen Lea Benedicte Skov , Ren Dawei , Burmølle Mette , Sørensen Søren J
Published: August 2016

It is well known that bacteria often exist in naturally formed multispecies biofilms. Within these biofilms, interspecies interactions seem to have an important role in ecological processes. Little is known about the effects of interspecies interactions on gene expression in these multispecies biofilms. This study presents a comparative gene expression analysis of the Xanthomonas retroflexus transcriptome when grown in a single-species biofilm and in dual- and four-species consortia with Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, Microbacterium oxydans and Paenibacillus amylolyticus. The results revealed complex interdependent interaction patterns in the multispecies biofilms. Many of the regulated functions are related to interactions with the external environment and suggest a high phenotypic plasticity in response to coexistence with other species. Furthermore, the changed expression of genes involved in aromatic and branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis suggests nutrient cross feeding as a contributing factor for the observed synergistic biofilm production when these four species coexists in a biofilm.
Erratum: Genome-wide common and rare variant analysis provides novel insights into clozapine-associated neutropenia
Authors: Legge S E , Hamshere M L , Ripke S , Pardinas A F , Goldstein J I , Rees E , Richards A L , Leonenko G , Jorskog L F ,   Clozapine-Induced Agranulocytosis Consortium, Chambert K D , Collier D A , Genovese G , Giegling I , Holmans P , Jonasdottir A , Kirov G , McCarroll S A , MacCabe J H , Mantripragada K , Moran J L , Neale B M , Stefansson H , Rujescu D , Daly M J , Sullivan P F , Owen M J , O'Donovan M C , Walters J T R
Published: August 2016

Correction to: Molecular Psychiatry advance online publication, 12 July 2016; doi:10.1038/mp.2016.97 The ninth author’s name was presented incorrectly. It should have been listed as LF Jarskog.
Social image concerns promote cooperation more than altruistic punishment
Authors: Grimalda Gianluca , Pondorfer Andreas , Tracer David P.
Published: August 2016

Human cooperation is enigmatic, as organisms are expected, by evolutionary and economic theory, to act principally in their own interests. However, cooperation requires individuals to sacrifice resources for each other’s benefit. We conducted a series of novel experiments in a foraging society where social institutions make the study of social image and punishment particularly salient. Participants played simple cooperation games where they could punish non-cooperators, promote a positive social image or do so in combination with one another. We show that although all these mechanisms raise cooperation above baseline levels, only when social image alone is at stake do average economic gains rise significantly above baseline. Punishment, either alone or combined with social image building, yields lower gains. Individuals’ desire to establish a positive social image thus emerges as a more decisive factor than punishment in promoting human cooperation.
A protein-truncating R179X variant in RNF186 confers protection against ulcerative colitis
Authors: Rivas Manuel A. , Graham Daniel , Sulem Patrick , Stevens Christine , Desch A. Nicole , Goyette Philippe , Gudbjartsson Daniel , Jonsdottir Ingileif , Thorsteinsdottir Unnur , Degenhardt Frauke , Mucha Sören , Kurki Mitja I. , Li Dalin , D’Amato Mauro , Annese Vito , Vermeire Severine , Weersma Rinse K. , Halfvarson Jonas , Paavola-Sakki Paulina , Lappalainen Maarit , Lek Monkol , Cummings Beryl , Tukiainen Taru , Haritunians Talin , Halme Leena , Koskinen Lotta L. E. , Ananthakrishnan Ashwin N. , Luo Yang , Heap Graham A. , Visschedijk Marijn C. ,   UK IBD Genetics Consortium, Barrett J. , de Lange K. , Edwards C. , Hart A. , Hawkey C. , Jostins L. , Kennedy N. , Lamb C. , Lee J. , Lees C. , Mansfield J. , Mathew C. , Mowatt C. , Newman W. , Nimmo E. , Parkes M. , Pollard M. , Prescott N. , Randall J. , Rice D. , Satsangi J. , Simmons A. , Tremelling M. , Uhlig H. , Wilson D. ,   NIDDK IBD Genetics Consortium, Abraham C. , Achkar J.P. , Bitton A. , Boucher G. , Croitoru K. , Fleshner P. , Glas J. , Kugathasan S. , Limbergen J. V. , Milgrom R. , Proctor D. , Regueiro M. , Schumm P. L. , Sharma Y. , Stempak J. M. , Targan S. R. , Wang M. H. , MacArthur Daniel G. , Neale Benjamin M. , Ahmad Tariq , Anderson Carl A. , Brant Steven R. , Duerr Richard H. , Silverberg Mark S. , Cho Judy H , Palotie Aarno , Saavalainen Päivi , Kontula Kimmo , Färkkilä Martti , McGovern Dermot P. B. , Franke Andre , Stefansson Kari , Rioux John D. , Xavier Ramnik J. , Daly Mark J.
Published: August 2016

Protein-truncating variants protective against human disease provide in vivo validation of therapeutic targets. Here we used targeted sequencing to conduct a search for protein-truncating variants conferring protection against inflammatory bowel disease exploiting knowledge of common variants associated with the same disease. Through replication genotyping and imputation we found that a predicted protein-truncating variant (rs36095412, p.R179X, genotyped in 11,148 ulcerative colitis patients and 295,446 controls, MAF=up to 0.78%) in RNF186, a single-exon ring finger E3 ligase with strong colonic expression, protects against ulcerative colitis (overall P=6.89 × 10−7, odds ratio=0.30). We further demonstrate that the truncated protein exhibits reduced expression and altered subcellular localization, suggesting the protective mechanism may reside in the loss of an interaction or function via mislocalization and/or loss of an essential transmembrane domain.
Amorphous nickel boride membrane on a platinum–nickel alloy surface for enhanced oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: He Daping , Zhang Libo , He Dongsheng , Zhou Gang , Lin Yue , Deng Zhaoxiang , Hong Xun , Wu Yuen , Chen Chen , Li Yadong
Published: August 2016

The low activity of the oxygen reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells is a major barrier for electrocatalysis, and hence needs to be optimized. Tuning the surface electronic structure of platinum-based bimetallic alloys, a promising oxygen reduction reaction catalyst, plays a key role in controlling its interaction with reactants, and thus affects the efficiency. Here we report that a dealloying process can be utilized to experimentally fabricate the interface between dealloyed platinum–nickel alloy and amorphous nickel boride membrane. The coating membrane works as an electron acceptor to tune the surface electronic structure of the platinum–nickel catalyst, and this composite catalyst composed of crystalline platinum–nickel covered by amorphous nickel boride achieves a 27-times enhancement in mass activity relative to commercial platinum/carbon at 0.9 V for the oxygen reduction reaction performance. Moreover, this interactional effect between a crystalline surface and amorphous membrane can be readily generalized to facilitate the 3-times higher catalytic activity of commercial platinum/carbon.
Mode-locking via dissipative Faraday instability
Authors: Tarasov Nikita , Perego Auro M. , Churkin Dmitry V. , Staliunas Kestutis , Turitsyn Sergei K.
Published: August 2016

Emergence of coherent structures and patterns at the nonlinear stage of modulation instability of a uniform state is an inherent feature of many biological, physical and engineering systems. There are several well-studied classical modulation instabilities, such as Benjamin–Feir, Turing and Faraday instability, which play a critical role in the self-organization of energy and matter in non-equilibrium physical, chemical and biological systems. Here we experimentally demonstrate the dissipative Faraday instability induced by spatially periodic zig-zag modulation of a dissipative parameter of the system—spectrally dependent losses—achieving generation of temporal patterns and high-harmonic mode-locking in a fibre laser. We demonstrate features of this instability that distinguish it from both the Benjamin–Feir and the purely dispersive Faraday instability. Our results open the possibilities for new designs of mode-locked lasers and can be extended to other fields of physics and engineering.
A clock network for geodesy and fundamental science
Authors: Lisdat C. , Grosche G. , Quintin N. , Shi C. , Raupach S.M.F. , Grebing C. , Nicolodi D. , Stefani F. , Al-Masoudi A. , Dörscher S. , Häfner S. , Robyr J.-L. , Chiodo N. , Bilicki S. , Bookjans E. , Koczwara A. , Koke S. , Kuhl A. , Wiotte F. , Meynadier F. , Camisard E. , Abgrall M. , Lours M. , Legero T. , Schnatz H. , Sterr U. , Denker H. , Chardonnet C. , Le Coq Y. , Santarelli G. , Amy-Klein A. , Le Targat R. , Lodewyck J. , Lopez O , Pottie P.-E.
Published: August 2016

Leveraging the unrivalled performance of optical clocks as key tools for geo-science, for astronomy and for fundamental physics beyond the standard model requires comparing the frequency of distant optical clocks faithfully. Here, we report on the comparison and agreement of two strontium optical clocks at an uncertainty of 5 × 10−17 via a newly established phase-coherent frequency link connecting Paris and Braunschweig using 1,415 km of telecom fibre. The remote comparison is limited only by the instability and uncertainty of the strontium lattice clocks themselves, with negligible contributions from the optical frequency transfer. A fractional precision of 3 × 10−17 is reached after only 1,000 s averaging time, which is already 10 times better and more than four orders of magnitude faster than any previous long-distance clock comparison. The capability of performing high resolution international clock comparisons paves the way for a redefinition of the unit of time and an all-optical dissemination of the SI-second.
Force sensitivity of multilayer graphene optomechanical devices
Authors: Weber P. , Güttinger J. , Noury A. , Vergara-Cruz J. , Bachtold A.
Published: August 2016

Mechanical resonators based on low-dimensional materials are promising for force and mass sensing experiments. The force sensitivity in these ultra-light resonators is often limited by the imprecision in the measurement of the vibrations, the fluctuations of the mechanical resonant frequency and the heating induced by the measurement. Here, we strongly couple multilayer graphene resonators to superconducting cavities in order to achieve a displacement sensitivity of 1.3 fm Hz−1/2. This coupling also allows us to damp the resonator to an average phonon occupation of 7.2. Our best force sensitivity, 390 zN Hz−1/2 with a bandwidth of 200 Hz, is achieved by balancing measurement imprecision, optomechanical damping, and measurement-induced heating. Our results hold promise for studying the quantum capacitance of graphene, its magnetization, and the electron and nuclear spins of molecules adsorbed on its surface.
Aromatase inhibition remodels the clonal architecture of estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancers
Authors: Miller Christopher A. , Gindin Yevgeniy , Lu Charles , Griffith Obi L , Griffith Malachi , Shen Dong , Hoog Jeremy , Li Tiandao , Larson David E. , Watson Mark , Davies Sherri R , Hunt Kelly , Suman Vera J. , Snider Jacqueline , Walsh Thomas , Colditz Graham A. , DeSchryver Katherine , Wilson Richard K. , Mardis Elaine R. , Ellis Matthew J.
Published: August 2016

Resistance to oestrogen-deprivation therapy is common in oestrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. To better understand the contributions of tumour heterogeneity and evolution to resistance, here we perform comprehensive genomic characterization of 22 primary tumours sampled before and after 4 months of neoadjuvant aromatase inhibitor (NAI) treatment. Comparing whole-genome sequencing of tumour/normal pairs from the two time points, with coincident tumour RNA sequencing, reveals widespread spatial and temporal heterogeneity, with marked remodelling of the clonal landscape in response to NAI. Two cases have genomic evidence of two independent tumours, most obviously an ER− ‘collision tumour’, which was only detected after NAI treatment of baseline ER+ disease. Many mutations are newly detected or enriched post treatment, including two ligand-binding domain mutations in ESR1. The observed clonal complexity of the ER+ breast cancer genome suggests that precision medicine approaches based on genomic analysis of a single specimen are likely insufficient to capture all clinically significant information.
Towards practical quantum metrology with photon counting
Authors: Matthews Jonathan CF , Zhou Xiao-Qi , Cable Hugo , Shadbolt Peter J , Saunders Dylan J , Durkin Gabriel A , Pryde Geoff J , O’Brien Jeremy L
Published: August 2016

Quantum metrology aims to realise new sensors operating at the ultimate limit of precision measurement. However, optical loss, the complexity of proposed metrology schemes and interferometric instability each prevent the realisation of practical quantum-enhanced sensors. To obtain a quantum advantage in interferometry using these capabilities, new schemes are required that tolerate realistic device loss and sample absorption. We show that loss-tolerant quantum metrology is achievable with photon-counting measurements of the generalised multi-photon singlet state, which is readily generated from spontaneous parametric downconversion without any further state engineering. The power of this scheme comes from coherent superpositions, which give rise to rapidly oscillating interference fringes that persist in realistic levels of loss. We have demonstrated the key enabling principles through the four-photon coincidence detection of outcomes that are dominated by the four-photon singlet term of the four-mode downconversion state. Combining state-of-the-art quantum photonics will enable a quantum advantage to be achieved without using post-selection and without any further changes to the approach studied here.
Cranberry-derived proanthocyanidins impair virulence and inhibit quorum sensing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Maisuria Vimal B. , Los Santos Yossef Lopez-de , Tufenkji Nathalie , Déziel Eric
Published: August 2016

Bacteria have evolved multiple strategies for causing infections that include producing virulence factors, undertaking motility, developing biofilms and invading host cells. N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL)-mediated quorum sensing (QS) tightly regulates the expression of multiple virulence factors in the opportunistic pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thus, inhibiting QS could lead to health benefits. In this study, we demonstrate an anti-virulence activity of a cranberry extract rich in proanthocyanidins (cerPAC) against P. aeruginosa in the model host Drosophila melanogaster and show this is mediated by QS interference. cerPAC reduced the production of QS-regulated virulence determinants and protected D. melanogaster from fatal infection by P. aeruginosa PA14. Quantification of AHL production using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmed that cerPAC effectively reduced the level of AHLs produced by the bacteria. Furthermore, monitoring QS signaling gene expression revealed that AHL synthases LasI/RhlI and QS transcriptional regulators LasR/RhlR genes were inhibited and antagonized, respectively, by cerPAC. Molecular docking studies suggest that cranberry-derived proanthocyanidin binds to QS transcriptional regulators, mainly interacting with their ligand binding sites. These findings provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of action of a cerPAC to restrict the virulence of P. aeruginosa and can have implications in the development of alternative approaches to control infections.
Vorinostat differentially alters 3D nuclear structure of cancer and non-cancerous esophageal cells
Authors: Nandakumar Vivek , Hansen Nanna , Glenn Honor L. , Han Jessica H. , Helland Stephanie , Hernandez Kathryn , Senechal Patti , Johnson Roger H. , Bussey Kimberly J. , Meldrum Deirdre R.
Published: August 2016

The histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor vorinostat has received significant attention in recent years as an ‘epigenetic’ drug used to treat solid tumors. However, its mechanisms of action are not entirely understood, particularly with regard to its interaction with the aberrations in 3D nuclear structure that accompany neoplastic progression. We investigated the impact of vorinostat on human esophageal epithelial cell lines derived from normal, metaplastic (pre-cancerous), and malignant tissue. Using a combination of novel optical computed tomography (CT)-based quantitative 3D absorption microscopy and conventional confocal fluorescence microscopy, we show that subjecting malignant cells to vorinostat preferentially alters their 3D nuclear architecture relative to non-cancerous cells. Optical CT (cell CT) imaging of fixed single cells showed that drug-treated cancer cells exhibit significant alterations in nuclear morphometry. Confocal microscopy revealed that vorinostat caused changes in the distribution of H3K9ac-marked euchromatin and H3K9me3-marked constitutive heterochromatin. Additionally, 3D immuno-FISH showed that drug-induced expression of the DNA repair gene MGMT was accompanied by spatial relocation toward the center of the nucleus in the nuclei of metaplastic but not in non-neoplastic cells. Our data suggest that vorinostat’s differential modulation of 3D nuclear architecture in normal and abnormal cells could play a functional role in its anti-cancer action.
Genetic characterization of cysteine-rich type-b avenin-like protein coding genes in common wheat
Authors: Chen X. Y. , Cao X. Y. , Zhang Y. J. , Islam S. , Zhang J. J. , Yang R. C. , Liu J. J. , Li G. Y. , Appels R. , Keeble-Gagnere G. , Ji W. Q. , He Z. H. , Ma W. J.
Published: August 2016

The wheat avenin-like proteins (ALP) are considered atypical gluten constituents and have shown positive effects on dough properties revealed using a transgenic approach. However, to date the genetic architecture of ALP genes is unclear, making it impossible to be utilized in wheat breeding. In the current study, three genes of type-b ALPs were identified and mapped to chromosomes 7AS, 4AL and 7DS. The coding gene sequence of bothTaALP-7AandTaALP-7Dwas 855 bp long, encoding two identical homologous 284 amino acid long proteins.TaALP-4Awas 858 bp long, encoding a 285 amino acid protein variant. Three alleles were identified forTaALP-7Aand four forTaALP-4A. TaALP-7Aalleles were of two types: type-1, which includesTaALP-7A1andTaALP-7A2, encodes mature proteins, while type-2, represented byTaALP-7A3, contains a stop codon in the coding region and thus does not encode a mature protein. Dough quality testing of 102 wheat cultivars established a highly significant association of the type-1TaALP-7Aallele with better wheat processing quality. This allelic effects were confirmed among a range of commercial wheat cultivars. Our research makes the ALP be the first of such genetic variation source that can be readily utilized in wheat breeding.
Oral exposure to environmental pollutant benzo[a]pyrene impacts the intestinal epithelium and induces gut microbial shifts in murine model
Authors: Ribière Céline , Peyret Pierre , Parisot Nicolas , Darcha Claude , Déchelotte Pierre J. , Barnich Nicolas , Peyretaillade Eric , Boucher Delphine
Published: August 2016

Gut microbiota dysbiosis are associated with a wide range of human diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases. The physiopathology of these diseases has multifactorial aetiology in which environmental factors, particularly pollution could play a crucial role. Among the different pollutants listed, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are subject to increased monitoring due to their wide distribution and high toxicity on Humans. Here, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate the impact of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP, most toxic PAH) oral exposure on the faecal and intestinal mucosa-associated bacteria in C57BL/6 mice. Intestinal inflammation was also evaluated by histological observations. BaP oral exposure significantly altered the composition and the abundance of the gut microbiota and led to moderate inflammation in ileal and colonic mucosa. More severe lesions were observed in ileal segment. Shifts in gut microbiota associated with moderate inflammatory signs in intestinal mucosa would suggest the establishment of a pro-inflammatory intestinal environment following BaP oral exposure. Therefore, under conditions of genetic susceptibility and in association with other environmental factors, exposure to this pollutant could trigger and/or accelerate the development of inflammatory pathologies.
11,000 years of craniofacial and mandibular variation in Lower Nubia
Authors: Galland Manon , Van Gerven Denis P. , Von Cramon-Taubadel Noreen , Pinhasi Ron
Published: August 2016

The transition to agriculture was a key event in human history. The extent to which this transition is associated with biological changes in different world regions remains debated. Cultural and osteological records in Lower Nubia throughout the Holocene have been interpreted as a result ofin situdifferentiation or alternatively as migratory events and possible admixture with surrounding populations. Here we investigated the patterns of craniofacial and mandibular variation from Mesolithic hunting-gathering to late farming, a period spanning 11,000 years. We analyzed 102 adult specimens spanning five cultural horizons: Mesolithic, A-group, C-group, Pharaonic and Meroitic, by means of 3D geometric morphometric methods, in order to assess shape variation and diachronic patterns at the transition to farming and in subsequent periods. Our results highlight a strong morphometric distinction between Mesolithic hunter-gatherers and farmers as well as differences between transitional and intensive farmers in mandibular variation which is consistent with differential impact of selective pressures on different regions of the skull. This study corroborates a major biological change during the transition from hunting to farming, supporting the masticatory-functional hypothesis for the mandible and suggesting population continuity among farming populations throughout the Holocene based on the overall shape of the cranium.
Locally indistinguishable orthogonal product bases in arbitrary bipartite quantum system
Authors: Xu Guang-Bao , Yang Ying-Hui , Wen Qiao-Yan , Qin Su-Juan , Gao Fei
Published: August 2016

As we know, unextendible product basis (UPB) is an incomplete basis whose members cannot be perfectly distinguished by local operations and classical communication. However, very little is known about those incomplete and locally indistinguishable product bases that are not UPBs. In this paper, we first construct a series of orthogonal product bases that are completable but not locally distinguishable in a general m ⊗ n (m ≥ 3 and n ≥ 3) quantum system. In particular, we give so far the smallest number of locally indistinguishable states of a completable orthogonal product basis in arbitrary quantum systems. Furthermore, we construct a series of small and locally indistinguishable orthogonal product bases in m ⊗ n (m ≥ 3 and n ≥ 3). All the results lead to a better understanding of the structures of locally indistinguishable product bases in arbitrary bipartite quantum system.
Stochastic anomaly of methylome but persistent SRY hypermethylation in disorder of sex development in canine somatic cell nuclear transfer
Authors: Jeong Young-Hee , Lu Hanlin , Park Chi-Hun , Li Meiyan , Luo Huijuan , Kim Joung Joo , Liu Siyang , Ko Kyeong Hee , Huang Shujia , Hwang In Sung , Kang Mi Na , Gong Desheng , Park Kang Bae , Choi Eun Ji , Park Jung Hyun , Jeong Yeon Woo , Moon Changjong , Hyun Sang-Hwan , Kim Nam Hyung , Jeung Eui-Bae , Yang Huanming , Hwang Woo Suk , Gao Fei
Published: August 2016

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) provides an excellent model for studying epigenomic reprogramming during mammalian development. We mapped the whole genome and whole methylome for potential anomalies of mutations or epimutations in SCNT-generated dogs with XY chromosomal sex but complete gonadal dysgenesis, which is classified as 78, XY disorder of sex development (DSD). Whole genome sequencing revealed no potential genomic variations that could explain the pathogenesis of DSD. However, extensive but stochastic anomalies of genome-wide DNA methylation were discovered in these SCNT DSD dogs. Persistent abnormal hypermethylation of the SRY gene was observed together with its down-regulated mRNA and protein expression. Failure of SRY expression due to hypermethylation was further correlated with silencing of a serial of testis determining genes, including SOX9, SF1, SOX8, AMH and DMRT1 in an early embryonic development stage at E34 in the XYDSD gonad, and high activation of the female specific genes, including FOXL2, RSPO1, CYP19A1, WNT4, ERα and ERβ, after one postnatal year in the ovotestis. Our results demonstrate that incomplete demethylation on the SRY gene is the driving cause of XYDSD in these XY DSD dogs, indicating a central role of epigenetic regulation in sex determination.
Polydiacetylenyl β-cyclodextrin based smart vesicles for colorimetric assay of arginine and lysine
Authors: Cho Eunae , Kim Hwanhee , Choi Youngjin , Paik Seung R. , Jung Seunho
Published: August 2016

Selective visualization of arginine and lysine has been explored among 20 amino acids using the hybrid conjugate of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and polydiacetylene (PDA). The mono pentacosa-10,12-diynyl aminomethyl group was successfully coupled to either the primary or the secondary face of β-CD, where mono-6-amino-6-deoxy-β-CD or mono-3-amino-3-deoxy-β-CD reacted with the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid. In this combinatorial system, the cylindrical β-cyclodextrin functions as a channel for the introduction of the cationic amino acids to the artificial membrane. The membrane perturbation and aggregation by the target amino acids could be exclusively visualized as a blue to red color change based on the responsive polydiacetylene domain. These interesting findings demonstrated that the developed β-CD conjugated PDA system may offer a new method of cell-penetrating mechanism, a promising vector system, as well as impact the production industry of arginine or lysine.
The role of mTOR signalling in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass in a rodent model of resistance exercise
Authors: Ogasawara Riki , Fujita Satoshi , Hornberger Troy A. , Kitaoka Yu , Makanae Yuhei , Nakazato Koichi , Naokata Ishii
Published: August 2016

Resistance exercise (RE) activates signalling by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and it has been suggested that rapamycin-sensitive mTOR signalling controls RE-induced changes in protein synthesis, ribosome biogenesis, autophagy and the expression of peroxisome proliferator gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α). However, direct evidence to support the aforementioned relationships is lacking. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the role of rapamycin-sensitive mTOR in the RE-induced activation of muscle protein synthesis, ribosome biogenesis, PGC-1α expression and hypertrophy. The results indicated that the inhibition of rapamycin-sensitive mTOR could prevent the induction of ribosome biogenesis by RE, but it only partially inhibited the activation of muscle protein synthesis. Likewise, the inhibition of rapamycin-sensitive mTOR only partially blocked the hypertrophic effects of chronic RE. Furthermore, both acute and chronic RE promoted an increase in PGC-1α expression and these alterations were not affected by the inhibition of rapamycin-sensitive mTOR. Combined, the results from this study not only establish that rapamycin-sensitive mTOR plays an important role in the RE-induced activation of protein synthesis and the induction of hypertrophy, but they also demonstrate that additional (rapamycin-sensitive mTOR-independent) mechanisms contribute to these fundamentally important events.
Helicity-dependent photocurrent induced by the in-plane transverse electric current in an InAs quantum well
Authors: Li J. B. , Wu X. G. , Wang G. W. , Xu Y. Q. , Niu Z. C. , Zhang X. H.
Published: August 2016

We report the observation of a new type of helicity-dependent photocurrent induced by an in-plane transverse direct electric current in an InAs quantum well. The amplitude of the photocurrent depends linearly on the transverse current. Moreover, the observed incident azimuth-angle dependence of this photocurrent is different from that induced by the circular photogalvanic effect. This new photocurrent appears as a result of an asymmetrical carrier distribution in both the conduction and valence bands induced by the transverse current. The photoexcited carrier density created by interband transition processes is thus modulated and leads to the observed new azimuth-angle dependence. The observed efficient generation of the helicity-dependent photocurrent offers an effective approach to manipulate electron spins in two-dimensional semiconductor systems with the added advantage of electrical control of the spin-related photocurrent in spintronic applications.
A/T Run Geometry of B-form DNA Is Independent of Bound Methyl-CpG Binding Domain, Cytosine Methylation and Flanking Sequence
Authors: Chia Jyh Yea , Tan Wen Siang , Ng Chyan Leong , Hu Nien-Jen , Foo Hooi Ling , Ho Kok Lian
Published: August 2016

DNA methylation in a CpG context can be recognised by methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) via its methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD). An A/T run next to a methyl-CpG maximises the binding of MeCP2 to the methylated DNA. The A/T run characteristics are reported here with an X-ray structure of MBD A140V in complex with methylated DNA. The A/T run geometry was found to be strongly stabilised by a string of conserved water molecules regardless of its flanking nucleotide sequences, DNA methylation and bound MBD. New water molecules were found to stabilise the Rett syndrome-related E137, whose carboxylate group is salt bridged to R133. A structural comparison showed no difference between the wild type and MBD A140V. However, differential scanning calorimetry showed that the melting temperature of A140V constructs in complex with methylated DNA was reduced by ~7 °C, although circular dichroism showed no changes in the secondary structure content for A140V. A band shift analysis demonstrated that the larger fragment of MeCP2 (A140V) containing the transcriptional repression domain (TRD) destabilises the DNA binding. These results suggest that the solution structure of MBD A140V may differ from the wild-type MBD although no changes in the biochemical properties of X-ray A140V were observed.
Laparoscopic surgery on broken points for uterine sarcoma in the early stage decrease prognosis
Authors: Liu Hong , Zhu Yi , Zhang Guo-Nan , Wang Chang , Li Chao , Shi Yu
Published: August 2016

Uterine sarcoma, a rare solid tumor in uterus, is difficult to identify in the early stage from some benign uterine tumors, such as uterine fibroids. Hence, uterine sarcoma may be treated in the same way as uterine fibroids; and this may not be found until pathological diagnosis. Consequently, this can lead to tumor’s abdominal spread, planting and local invasive growth, resulting in an early uterine sarcoma, an increased relapse rate after surgery and a decreased survival. Therefore, it’s important to avoid these unintended and iatrogenic complications through an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate surgical approach. The surgical staging and a complete resection of the tumor are both important for patients’ prognosis. In this review, we will discuss the laparoscopic surgery for uterine sarcoma in the early stage and patients’ prognosis.
Homogenised daily lake surface water temperature data generated from multiple satellite sensors: A long-term case study of a large sub-Alpine lake
Authors: Pareeth Sajid , Salmaso Nico , Adrian Rita , Neteler Markus
Published: August 2016

Availability of remotely sensed multi-spectral images since the 1980’s, which cover three decades of voluminous data could help researchers to study the changing dynamics of bio-physical characteristics of land and water. In this study, we introduce a new methodology to develop homogenised Lake Surface Water Temperature (LSWT) from multiple polar orbiting satellites. Precisely, we developed homogenised 1 km daily LSWT maps covering the last 30 years (1986 to 2015) combining data from 13 satellites. We used a split-window technique to derive LSWT from brightness temperatures and a modified diurnal temperature cycle model to homogenise data which were acquired between 8:00 to 17:00 UTC. Gaps in the temporal LSWT data due to the presence of clouds were filled by applying Harmonic ANalysis of Time Series (HANTS). The satellite derived LSWT maps were validated based on long-term monthly in-situ bulk temperature measurements in Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy. We found the satellite derived homogenised LSWT being significantly correlated to in-situ data. The new LSWT time series showed a significant annual rate of increase of 0.020 °C yr−1 (*P < 0.05) and of 0.036 °C yr−1 (***P < 0.001) during summer.
Environmental chemicals impact dog semen quality in vitro and may be associated with a temporal decline in sperm motility and increased cryptorchidism
Authors: Lea Richard G. , Byers Andrew S. , Sumner Rebecca N. , Rhind Stewart M. , Zhang Zulin , Freeman Sarah L. , Moxon Rachel , Richardson Holly M. , Green Martin , Craigon Jim , England Gary C. W.
Published: August 2016

Adverse temporal trends in human semen quality and cryptorchidism in infants have been associated with exposure to environmental chemicals (ECs) during development. Here we report that a population of breeding dogs exhibit a 26 year (1988–2014) decline in sperm quality and a concurrent increased incidence of cryptorchidism in male offspring (1995–2014). A decline in the number of males born relative to the number of females was also observed. ECs, including diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and polychlorinated biphenyl 153 (PCB153), were detected in adult dog testes and commercial dog foods at concentrations reported to perturb reproductive function in other species. Testicular concentrations of DEHP and PCB153 perturbed sperm viability, motility and DNA integrity in vitro but did not affect LH stimulated testosterone secretion from adult testis explants. The direct effects of chemicals on sperm may therefore contribute to the decline in canine semen quality that parallels that reported in the human.
The genetics of an early Neolithic pastoralist from the Zagros, Iran
Authors: Gallego-Llorente M. , Connell S. , Jones E. R. , Merrett D. C. , Jeon Y. , Eriksson A. , Siska V. , Gamba C. , Meiklejohn C. , Beyer R. , Jeon S. , Cho Y. S. , Hofreiter M. , Bhak J. , Manica A. , Pinhasi R.
Published: August 2016

The agricultural transition profoundly changed human societies. We sequenced and analysed the first genome (1.39x) of an early Neolithic woman from Ganj Dareh, in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, a site with early evidence for an economy based on goat herding, ca. 10,000 BP. We show that Western Iran was inhabited by a population genetically most similar to hunter-gatherers from the Caucasus, but distinct from the Neolithic Anatolian people who later brought food production into Europe. The inhabitants of Ganj Dareh made little direct genetic contribution to modern European populations, suggesting those of the Central Zagros were somewhat isolated from other populations of the Fertile Crescent. Runs of homozygosity are of a similar length to those from Neolithic farmers, and shorter than those of Caucasus and Western Hunter-Gatherers, suggesting that the inhabitants of Ganj Dareh did not undergo the large population bottleneck suffered by their northern neighbours. While some degree of cultural diffusion between Anatolia, Western Iran and other neighbouring regions is possible, the genetic dissimilarity between early Anatolian farmers and the inhabitants of Ganj Dareh supports a model in which Neolithic societies in these areas were distinct.
Inhibitor treatment of peripheral mononuclear cells from Parkinson’s disease patients further validates LRRK2 dephosphorylation as a pharmacodynamic biomarker
Authors: Perera G. , Ranola M. , Rowe D. B. , Halliday G. M. , Dzamko N.
Published: August 2016

Activating mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are strongly associated with increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Thus, LRRK2 kinase inhibitors are in development as potential Parkinson’s disease therapeutics. A reduction in the constitutive levels of phosphorylation on leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is currently used to measure target engagement of LRRK2 kinase inhibitors in cell and animal models. We aimed to determine if reduced phosphorylation of LRRK2 following inhibitor treatment is also a valid measure of target engagement in peripheral mononuclear cells from Parkinson’s disease patients. Peripheral mononuclear cells from idiopathic Parkinson’s disease patients and controls were treated ex vivo with two structurally distinct inhibitors of LRRK2, at four different doses and immunoblotting was used to assess the reduction in LRRK2 phosphorylation at Ser910, Ser935, Ser955 and Ser973. Both inhibitors showed no acute toxicity in primary cells and both inhibitors reduced the constitutive phosphorylation of LRRK2 at all measured residues equally in both control and Parkinson’s disease groups. Measuring the reduction in LRRK2 phosphorylation resulting from LRRK2 kinase inhibition, is thus a valid measure of acute peripheral target engagement in Parkinson’s disease patients. This is important if LRRK2 kinase inhibitors are to be used in a clinical setting.