bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurobiological correlates of distinct post-traumatic stress disorder symptom profiles during threat anticipation in combat veterans
Authors: Grupe D. W. , Wielgosz J. , Davidson R. J. , Nitschke J. B.
Published: March 2016

Background

Previous research in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has identified disrupted ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) function in those with v. without PTSD. It is unclear whether this brain region is uniformly affected in all individuals with PTSD, or whether vmPFC dysfunction is related to individual differences in discrete features of this heterogeneous disorder.

Method

In a sample of 51 male veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom, we collected functional magnetic resonance imaging data during a novel threat anticipation task with crossed factors of threat condition and temporal unpredictability. Voxelwise regression analyses related anticipatory brain activation to individual differences in overall PTSD symptom severity, as well as individual differences in discrete symptom subscales (re-experiencing, emotional numbing/avoidance, and hyperarousal).

Results

The vmPFC showed greater anticipatory responses for safety relative to threat, driven primarily by deactivation during threat anticipation. During unpredictable threat anticipation, increased PTSD symptoms were associated with relatively greater activation for threat v. safety. However, simultaneous regression on individual symptom subscales demonstrated that this effect was driven specifically by individual differences in hyperarousal symptoms. Furthermore, this analysis revealed an additional, anatomically distinct region of the vmPFC in which re-experiencing symptoms were associated with greater activation during threat anticipation.

Conclusions

Increased anticipatory responses to unpredictable threat in distinct vmPFC subregions were uniquely associated with elevated hyperarousal and re-experiencing symptoms in combat veterans. These results underscore the disruptive impact of uncertainty for veterans, and suggest that investigating individual differences in discrete aspects of PTSD may advance our understanding of underlying neurobiological mechanisms.
Aortic coarctation, aneurysm, and ventricular dysfunction in an asymptomatic infant
Authors: García Ana I. , Aguilar Juan M. , García Enrique
Published: March 2016

Aortic arch coarctation with post-coarctation aneurysm is rare in infants. We present the case of an asymptomatic 3-month-old infant with severe left ventricular dysfunction in this setting. The patient underwent surgical repair, and the left ventricular ejection fraction improved to recovery the 4th post-operative month.
Role of anxiety and depression in adolescents with chest pain referred to a cardiology clinic
Authors: Khairandish Zahra , Jamali Leila , Haghbin Saeedeh
Published: March 2016

Background

We carried out this study in order to evaluate the causes of chest pain in teenagers and the role of anxiety and depression in this age group compared with the normal population.

Methods

In this prospective case–control study, all patients aged 11–18 years with chest pain and no history of trauma and referred to a paediatric cardiology clinic from March, 2009–April, 2010 were selected. A chest pain protocol including a detailed history, full physical examination, required blood tests, electrocardiography, and echocardiography was performed for all. The presence of depression and anxiety and their severity were assessed by Beck questionnaires. The patients were compared with age- and sex-matched, randomly selected healthy controls.

Results

In total, 194 patients with a mean age of 14±2 years were selected. The most frequent presentation was idiopathic chest pain (43.3%), followed by the psychological group (29.9%). These groups had no abnormal points in history, physical, and para-clinical tests. Moderate-to-severe depression was found in 45.9% in the patients group, compared with 17.6% of controls, which was statistically significant (p=0.016). Moreover, anxiety was detected in 67.5% of patients versus 15.4% in controls, which is a statistically significant difference (p=0.009). Cardiac chest pain with 9.27% was the most common type of organic causes.

Conclusion

Chest pain during teenage is more prevalent, but not risky. Undergoing a detailed history and full physical examination can help diagnose the causes in the majority of cases. Given the prevalence of a psychological group as well as role of anxiety and depression in most patients, referring to a psychiatrist is suggested.
Effects of milk flow on the physiological and behavioural responses to feeding in an infant with hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Authors: Pados Britt F. , Thoyre Suzanne M. , Estrem Hayley H. , Park Jinhee , Knafl George J. , Nix Brant
Published: March 2016

Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome often experience difficulty with oral feeding, which contributes to growth failure, morbidity, and mortality. In response to feeding difficulty, clinicians often change the bottle nipple, and thus milk flow rate. Slow-flow nipples have been found to reduce the stress of feeding in other fragile infants, but no research has evaluated the responses of infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome to alterations in milk flow. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physiological and behavioural responses of an infant with hypoplastic left heart syndrome to bottle feeding with either a slow-flow (Dr. Brown’s Preemie) or a standard-flow (Dr. Brown’s Level 2) nipple. A single infant was studied for three feedings: two slow-flow and one standard-flow. Oral feeding, whether with a slow-flow or a standard-flow nipple, was distressing for this infant. During slow-flow feeding, she experienced more coughing events, whereas during standard-flow she experienced more gagging. Disengagement and compelling disorganisation were most common during feeding 3, that is slow-flow, which occurred 2 days after surgical placement of a gastrostomy tube. Clinically significant changes in heart rate, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate were seen during all feedings. Heart rate was higher during standard-flow and respiratory rate was higher during slow-flow. Further research is needed to examine the responses of infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome to oral feeding and to identify strategies that will support these fragile infants as they learn to feed. Future research should evaluate an even slower-flow nipple along with additional supportive feeding strategies.
MONEY AND MONETARY POLICY IN THE EUROZONE: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS DURING CRISES
Authors: Benchimol Jonathan , Fourçans André
Published: March 2016

This paper analyzes the role of money and monetary policy as well as the forecasting performance of New Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models with and without separability between consumption and money. The study is conducted over three crisis periods in the Eurozone, namely, the ERM crisis, the dot-com crisis, and the global financial crisis (GFC). The results of successive Bayesian estimations demonstrate that during these crises, the nonseparable model generally provides better out-of-sample output forecasts than the baseline model. We also demonstrate that money shocks have some impact on output variations during crises, especially in the case of the GFC. Furthermore, the response of output to a money shock is more persistent during the GFC than during the other crises. The impact of monetary policy also changes during crises. Insofar as the GFC is concerned, this impact increases at the beginning of the crisis, but decreases sharply thereafter.
Colour correct: the interactive effects of food label nutrition colouring schemes and food category healthiness on health perceptions
Authors: Nyilasy Gergely , Lei Jing , Nagpal Anish , Tan Joseph
Published: March 2016

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of food label nutrition colouring schemes in interaction with food category healthiness on consumers’ perceptions of food healthiness. Three streams of colour theory (colour attention, colour association and colour approach-avoidance) in interaction with heuristic processing theory provide consonant predictions and explanations for the underlying psychological processes.

Design

A 2 (food category healthiness: healthyv.unhealthy)×3 (food label nutrient colouring schemes: healthy=green, unhealthy=red (HGUR)v.healthy=red, unhealthy=green (HRUG)v.no colour (control)) between-subjects design was used.

Setting

The research setting was a randomised-controlled experiment using varying formats of food packages and nutritional information colouring.

Subjects

Respondents (n196) sourced from a national consumer panel, USA.

Results

The findings suggest that, for healthy foods, the nutritional colouring schemes reduced perceived healthiness, irrespective of which nutrients were coloured red or green (healthinesscontrol=4·86; healthinessHGUR=4·10; healthinessHRUG=3·70). In contrast, for unhealthy foods, there was no significant difference in perceptions of food healthiness when comparing different colouring schemes against the control.

Conclusions

The results make an important qualification to the common belief that colour coding can enhance the correct interpretation of nutrition information and suggest that this incentive may not necessarily support healthier food choices in all situations.
2-ARC-TRANSITIVE REGULAR COVERS OF HAVING THE COVERING TRANSFORMATION GROUP
Authors: DU SHAOFEI , XU WENQIN
Published: March 2016

This paper contributes to the regular covers of a complete bipartite graph minus a matching, denoted $K_{n,n}-nK_{2}$, whose fiber-preserving automorphism group acts 2-arc-transitively. All such covers, when the covering transformation group $K$ is either cyclic or $\mathbb{Z}_{p}^{2}$ with $p$ a prime, have been determined in Xu and Du [‘2-arc-transitive cyclic covers of $K_{n,n}-nK_{2}$’, J. Algebraic Combin.39 (2014), 883–902] and Xu et al. [‘2-arc-transitive regular covers of $K_{n,n}-nK_{2}$ with the covering transformation group $\mathbb{Z}_{p}^{2}$’, Ars. Math. Contemp.10 (2016), 269–280]. Finally, this paper gives a classification of all such covers for $K\cong \mathbb{Z}_{p}^{3}$ with $p$ a prime.
184 Years Not Out: a Brief history of the Library of the Law Society of England and Wales
Authors: Maher Michael
Published: March 2016

In this article Michael Maher, Librarian of the Law Society of England and Wales, examines the history of the extensive library on Chancery Lane, the range of services it provides to help support its members (including their agents i.e. law librarians) and the future plans for the library.
WORLD HISTORY IN THE ATOMIC AGE: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE IN THE POLITICAL THOUGHT OF JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
Authors: PURUSHOTHAM SUNIL
Published: March 2016

Jawaharlal Nehru was both a historian and a self-conscious agent of historical change. This essay explores his political thought by bringing these two perspectives together. I argue that his approaches to a number of issues, including the state project that has been his most significant legacy, shared a concern with linking together the past, present and future. My concern here is primarily with the post-1947 phase of Nehru's career, which was marked by key shifts in his political thought due to a perceived transformation of temporal experience and an altered relationship with history. By attending to the way his thought worked through notions of temporality and historicity, this article offers insights into Nehru's understanding of technological modernity, violence, socialism, the individual, the nation and the role of the state.
Aqueous extracts of Duranta repens (Verbenaceae) as an alternative to control tea red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae (Acari: Tetranychidae)
Authors: Roy Somnath , Muraleedharan Narayanannair , Handique Gautam , Rahman Azizur , Barua Archita
Published: March 2016

We evaluated an aqueous extract ofDuranta repensL. in the laboratory against the tea red spider mite,Oligonychus coffeaeNietner, to determine its effect on adult mortality, viability of eggs, oviposition deterrence and repellent properties. We also evaluated the same extract in the field to determine its effect on mite populations. The direct spray method was used in the laboratory at concentrations of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 g/l. Mortality ofO. coffeaewas dependent on both concentration and time after application. Deposition of eggs by adult mites on treated leaf surfaces decreased and the viability of eggs was also reduced. Its bioefficacy was comparable to that of the commonly used commercial neem oil formulation (azadirachtin 0.03EC). In addition, different concentrations of the aqueous extract ofD. repensalso exhibited repellent properties against adult mites. In the field, the application of the aqueous extract ofD. repensreduced the mite population and its bioefficacy was comparable to that of the synthetic pesticide Propargite 57 EC. No phytotoxic effect was observed when tea bushes were sprayed with different concentrations ofD. repens. Tea samples were taint free. Treatment of plants with the extract did not affect the quality (appearance of liquor, flavour, taint and taste) of made tea. Availability and distribution of this plant in and around tea growing areas of Assam, along with its processing, and the possibility of includingD. repensextracts in the current IPM programme are discussed.
Fahreignung unter verkehrsophthalmologischen Aspekten beim älteren Fahrzeuglenker
Authors: Schneebeli Martina
Published: March 2016

Zusammenfassung. Im Rahmen der «Via Sicura», dem Massnahmenpaket für mehr Sicherheit im Strassenverkehr des Bundesamtes für ­Strassen (ASTRA), werden die den internationalen Standards angepassten medizinischen Mindestanforderungen an das Sehvermögen am 1. Juli 2016 in Kraft treten. Das für die Fahreignung notwendige Sehen ist nicht nur eine minimale gesetzlich geforderte Sehschärfe, sondern setzt sich aus allen Teilbereichen wie Sehschärfe, Gesichtsfeld, Kontrast- und Dämmerungssehen sowie Blendempfindlichkeit und Augenmotilität zusammen. Mit dem demografischen Wandel nimmt auch die Anzahl älterer Autofahrer mit verkehrsmedizinisch relevanten gesundheitlichen Einschränkungen, u. a. mit chronischen Augenleiden zu. Verkehrsophthalmologische Fragestellungen im Kontext der gesamtheitlichen Fahreignungsbeurteilung älterer Fahrzeuglenker werden daher künftig zunehmen. Zusammenfassend muss das für die sichere Teilnahme am motorisierten Strassenverkehr notwendige Sehvermögen so gross sein, dass verkehrsrelevante Informationen rechtzeitig wahrgenommen und verarbeitet werden können, damit richtig und schnell genug gehandelt und reagiert werden kann, dies auch bei schlechten Sichtverhältnissen bzw. eingeschränkten psychisch und physischen Leistungsreserven.
Florida Mayors Spotlight Climate Change as U.S. Election Issue
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: March 2016

In the run-up to presidential primaries today in Florida, a bipartisan group of mayors there raised the issue by convincing moderators to pose questions about it in national debates and in other ways.
Mapping the dynamics and nanoscale organization of synaptic adhesion proteins using monomeric streptavidin
Authors: Chamma Ingrid , Letellier Mathieu , Butler Corey , Tessier Béatrice , Lim Kok-Hong , Gauthereau Isabel , Choquet Daniel , Sibarita Jean-Baptiste , Park Sheldon , Sainlos Matthieu , Thoumine Olivier
Published: March 2016

The advent of super-resolution imaging (SRI) has created a need for optimized labelling strategies. We present a new method relying on fluorophore-conjugated monomeric streptavidin (mSA) to label membrane proteins carrying a short, enzymatically biotinylated tag, compatible with SRI techniques including uPAINT, STED and dSTORM. We demonstrate efficient and specific labelling of target proteins in confined intercellular and organotypic tissues, with reduced steric hindrance and no crosslinking compared with multivalent probes. We use mSA to decipher the dynamics and nanoscale organization of the synaptic adhesion molecules neurexin-1β, neuroligin-1 (Nlg1) and leucine-rich-repeat transmembrane protein 2 (LRRTM2) in a dual-colour configuration with GFP nanobody, and show that these proteins are diffusionally trapped at synapses where they form apposed trans-synaptic adhesive structures. Furthermore, Nlg1 is dynamic, disperse and sensitive to synaptic stimulation, whereas LRRTM2 is organized in compact and stable nanodomains. Thus, mSA is a versatile tool to image membrane proteins at high resolution in complex live environments, providing novel information about the nano-organization of biological structures.
PX-RICS-deficient mice mimic autism spectrum disorder in Jacobsen syndrome through impaired GABAA receptor trafficking
Authors: Nakamura Tsutomu , Arima-Yoshida Fumiko , Sakaue Fumika , Nasu-Nishimura Yukiko , Takeda Yasuko , Matsuura Ken , Akshoomoff Natacha , Mattson Sarah N. , Grossfeld Paul D. , Manabe Toshiya , Akiyama Tetsu
Published: March 2016

Jacobsen syndrome (JBS) is a rare congenital disorder caused by a terminal deletion of the long arm of chromosome 11. A subset of patients exhibit social behavioural problems that meet the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, the underlying molecular pathogenesis remains poorly understood. PX-RICS is located in the chromosomal region commonly deleted in JBS patients with autistic-like behaviour. Here we report that PX-RICS-deficient mice exhibit ASD-like social behaviours and ASD-related comorbidities. PX-RICS-deficient neurons show reduced surface γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAAR) levels and impaired GABAAR-mediated synaptic transmission. PX-RICS, GABARAP and 14-3-3ζ/θ form an adaptor complex that interconnects GABAAR and dynein/dynactin, thereby facilitating GABAAR surface expression. ASD-like behavioural abnormalities in PX-RICS-deficient mice are ameliorated by enhancing inhibitory synaptic transmission with a GABAAR agonist. Our findings demonstrate a critical role of PX-RICS in cognition and suggest a causal link between PX-RICS deletion and ASD-like behaviour in JBS patients.
A phosphotyrosine switch regulates organic cation transporters
Authors: Sprowl Jason A. , Ong Su Sien , Gibson Alice A. , Hu Shuiying , Du Guoqing , Lin Wenwei , Li Lie , Bharill Shashank , Ness Rachel A. , Stecula Adrian , Offer Steven M. , Diasio Robert B. , Nies Anne T. , Schwab Matthias , Cavaletti Guido , Schlatter Eberhard , Ciarimboli Giuliano , Schellens Jan H. M. , Isacoff Ehud Y. , Sali Andrej , Chen Taosheng , Baker Sharyn D. , Sparreboom Alex , Pabla Navjotsingh
Published: March 2016

Membrane transporters are key determinants of therapeutic outcomes. They regulate systemic and cellular drug levels influencing efficacy as well as toxicities. Here we report a unique phosphorylation-dependent interaction between drug transporters and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which has uncovered widespread phosphotyrosine-mediated regulation of drug transporters. We initially found that organic cation transporters (OCTs), uptake carriers of metformin and oxaliplatin, were inhibited by several clinically used TKIs. Mechanistic studies showed that these TKIs inhibit the Src family kinase Yes1, which was found to be essential for OCT2 tyrosine phosphorylation and function. Yes1 inhibition in vivo diminished OCT2 activity, significantly mitigating oxaliplatin-induced acute sensory neuropathy. Along with OCT2, other SLC-family drug transporters are potentially part of an extensive ‘transporter-phosphoproteome’ with unique susceptibility to TKIs. On the basis of these findings we propose that TKIs, an important and rapidly expanding class of therapeutics, can functionally modulate pharmacologically important proteins by inhibiting protein kinases essential for their post-translational regulation.
Putting pressure on aromaticity along with in situ experimental electron density of a molecular crystal
Authors: Casati Nicola , Kleppe Annette , Jephcoat Andrew P. , Macchi Piero
Published: March 2016

When pressure is applied, the molecules inside a crystal undergo significant changes of their stereoelectronic properties. The most interesting are those enhancing the reactivity of systems that would be otherwise rather inert at ambient conditions. Before a reaction can occur, however, a molecule must be activated, which means destabilized. In aromatic compounds, molecular stability originates from the resonance between two electronic configurations. Here we show how the resonance energy can be decreased in molecular crystals on application of pressure. The focus is on syn-1,6:8,13-Biscarbonyl[14]annulene, an aromatic compound at ambient conditions that gradually localizes one of the resonant configurations on compression. This phenomenon is evident from the molecular geometries measured at several pressures and from the experimentally determined electron density distribution at 7.7 GPa; the observations presented in this work are validated by periodic DFT calculations.
Contrasting scaling properties of interglacial and glacial climates
Authors: Shao Zhi-Gang , Ditlevsen Peter D.
Published: March 2016

Understanding natural climate variability is essential for assessments of climate change. This is reflected in the scaling properties of climate records. The scaling exponents of the interglacial and the glacial climates are fundamentally different. The Holocene record is monofractal, with a scaling exponent H∼0.7. On the contrary, the glacial record is multifractal, with a significantly higher scaling exponent H∼1.2, indicating a longer persistence time and stronger nonlinearities in the glacial climate. The glacial climate is dominated by the strong multi-millennial Dansgaard–Oeschger (DO) events influencing the long-time correlation. However, by separately analysing the last glacial maximum lacking DO events, here we find the same scaling for that period as for the full glacial period. The unbroken scaling thus indicates that the DO events are part of the natural variability and not externally triggered. At glacial time scales, there is a scale break to a trivial scaling, contrasting the DO events from the similarly saw-tooth-shaped glacial cycles.
Long-range magnetic coupling across a polar insulating layer
Authors: Lü W. M. , Saha Surajit , Wang X. Renshaw , Liu Z. Q. , Gopinadhan K. , Annadi A. , Zeng S. W. , Huang Z. , Bao B. C. , Cong C. X. , Venkatesan M. , Yu T. , Coey J. M. D. , Ariando  , Venkatesan T.
Published: March 2016

Magnetic interactions in solids are normally mediated by short-range exchange or weak dipole fields. Here we report a magnetic interaction that can propagate over long distances (∼10 nm) across a polar insulating oxide spacer. Evidence includes oscillations of magnetization, coercivity and field-cooled loop shift with the thickness of LaAlO3 in La0.67Sr0.33MnO3/LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures. Similar modifications of the hysteresis loop appear when two coupled films of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 are separated by LaAlO3, or another polar insulator, but they are absent when the oxide spacer layer is nonpolar. The loop shift is attributed to strong spin–orbit coupling and Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction at the interfaces. There is evidence from inelastic light scattering that the polar spacer mediates long-range transmission of orbital magnetization. This coupling mechanism is expected to apply for any conducting ferromagnetic oxide with mixed valence; in view of electron hopping frequency involved, it raises the prospect of terahertz tunability of magnetic coupling.
Cellular forces and matrix assembly coordinate fibrous tissue repair
Authors: Sakar Mahmut Selman , Eyckmans Jeroen , Pieters Roel , Eberli Daniel , Nelson Bradley J. , Chen Christopher S.
Published: March 2016

Planar in vitro models have been invaluable tools to identify the mechanical basis of wound closure. Although these models may recapitulate closure dynamics of epithelial cell sheets, they fail to capture how a wounded fibrous tissue rebuilds its 3D architecture. Here we develop a 3D biomimetic model for soft tissue repair and demonstrate that fibroblasts ensconced in a collagen matrix rapidly close microsurgically induced defects within 24 h. Traction force microscopy and time-lapse imaging reveal that closure of gaps begins with contractility-mediated whole-tissue deformations. Subsequently, tangentially migrating fibroblasts along the wound edge tow and assemble a progressively thickening fibronectin template inside the gap that provide the substrate for cells to complete closure. Unlike previously reported mechanisms based on lamellipodial protrusions and purse-string contraction, our data reveal a mode of stromal closure in which coordination of tissue-scale deformations, matrix assembly and cell migration act together to restore 3D tissue architecture.
Mechanistic signatures of HPV insertions in cervical carcinomas
Authors: Holmes Allyson , Lameiras Sonia , Jeannot Emmanuelle , Marie Yannick , Castera Laurent , Sastre-Garau Xavier , Nicolas Alain
Published: March 2016

To identify new personal biomarkers for the improved diagnosis, prognosis and biological follow-up of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated carcinomas, we developed a generic and comprehensive Capture-HPV method followed by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Starting from biopsies or circulating DNA samples, this Capture-NGS approach rapidly identifies the HPV genotype, HPV status (integrated, episomal or absence), the viral-host DNA junctions and the associated genome rearrangements. This analysis of 72 cervical carcinomas identified five HPV signatures. The first two signatures contain two hybrid chromosomal–HPV junctions whose orientations are co-linear (2J-COL) or non-linear (2J-NL), revealing two modes of viral integration associated with chromosomal deletion or amplification events, respectively. The third and fourth signatures exhibit 3–12 hybrid junctions, either clustered in one locus (MJ-CL) or scattered at distinct loci (MJ-SC) while the fifth signature consists of episomal HPV genomes (EPI). Cross analyses between the HPV signatures and the clinical and virological data reveal unexpected biased representation with respect to the HPV genotype, patient age and disease outcome, suggesting functional relevance(s) of this new classification. Overall, our findings establish a facile and comprehensive rational approach for the molecular detection of any HPV-associated carcinoma and definitive personalised sequence information to develop sensitive and specific biomarkers for each patient.
Improving Low-dose Cardiac CT Images based on 3D Sparse Representation
Authors: Shi Luyao , Hu Yining , Chen Yang , Yin Xindao , Shu Huazhong , Luo Limin , Coatrieux Jean-Louis
Published: March 2016

Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) is a reliable and accurate tool for diagnosis of coronary artery diseases and is also frequently used in surgery guidance. Low-dose scans should be considered in order to alleviate the harm to patients caused by X-ray radiation. However, low dose CT (LDCT) images tend to be degraded by quantum noise and streak artifacts. In order to improve the cardiac LDCT image quality, a 3D sparse representation-based processing (3D SR) is proposed by exploiting the sparsity and regularity of 3D anatomical features in CCT. The proposed method was evaluated by a clinical study of 14 patients. The performance of the proposed method was compared to the 2D spares representation-based processing (2D SR) and the state-of-the-art noise reduction algorithm BM4D. The visual assessment, quantitative assessment and qualitative assessment results show that the proposed approach can lead to effective noise/artifact suppression and detail preservation. Compared to the other two tested methods, 3D SR method can obtain results with image quality most close to the reference standard dose CT (SDCT) images.
Angiogenic activity mediates bone repair from human pluripotent stem cell-derived osteogenic cells
Authors: Zou Li , Chen Qingshan , Quanbeck Zachary , Bechtold Joan E. , Kaufman Dan S.
Published: March 2016

Human pluripotent stem cells provide a standardized resource for bone repair. However, criteria to determine which exogenous cells best heal orthopedic injuries remain poorly defined. We evaluated osteogenic progenitor cells derived from both human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Phenotypic and genotypic analyses demonstrated that these hESCs/hiPSCs are similar in their osteogenic differentiation efficiency and they generate osteogenic cells comparable to osteogenic cells derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs). However, expression of angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor in these osteogenic progenitor cells are markedly different, suggesting distinct pro-angiogenic potential of these stem cell derivatives. Studies to repair a femur non-union fracture demonstrate only osteogenic progenitor cells with higher pro-angiogenic potential significantly enhance bone repair in vivo. Together, these studies highlight a key role of pro-angiogenic potential of transplanted osteogenic cells for effective cell-mediated bone repair.
RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 1 in potato (Solanum tuberosum) and its relationship to other plant RNA-dependent RNA polymerases
Authors: Hunter Lydia J. R. , Brockington Samuel F. , Murphy Alex M. , Pate Adrienne E. , Gruden Kristina , MacFarlane Stuart A. , Palukaitis Peter , Carr John P.
Published: March 2016

Cellular RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDRs) catalyze synthesis of double-stranded RNAs that can serve to initiate or amplify RNA silencing. Arabidopsis thaliana has six RDR genes; RDRs 1, 2 and 6 have roles in anti-viral RNA silencing. RDR6 is constitutively expressed but RDR1 expression is elevated following plant treatment with defensive phytohormones. RDR1 also contributes to basal virus resistance. RDR1 has been studied in several species including A. thaliana, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), N. benthamiana, N. attenuata and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) but not to our knowledge in potato (S. tuberosum). StRDR1 was identified and shown to be salicylic acid-responsive. StRDR1 transcript accumulation decreased in transgenic potato plants constitutively expressing a hairpin construct and these plants were challenged with three viruses: potato virus Y, potato virus X, and tobacco mosaic virus. Suppression of StRDR1 gene expression did not increase the susceptibility of potato to these viruses. Phylogenetic analysis of RDR genes present in potato and in a range of other plant species identified a new RDR gene family, not present in potato and found only in Rosids (but apparently lost in the Rosid A. thaliana) for which we propose the name RDR7.
Mycobacterial escape from macrophage phagosomes to the cytoplasm represents an alternate adaptation mechanism
Authors: Jamwal Shilpa V. , Mehrotra Parul , Singh Archana , Siddiqui Zaved , Basu Atanu , Rao Kanury V.S.
Published: March 2016

Survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) within the host macrophage is mediated through pathogen-dependent inhibition of phagosome-lysosome fusion, which enables bacteria to persist within the immature phagosomal compartment. By employing ultrastructural examination of different field isolates supported by biochemical analysis, we found that some of the Mtb strains were in fact poorly adapted for subsistence within endocytic vesicles of infected macrophages. Instead, through a mechanism involving activation of host cytosolic phospholipase A2, these bacteria rapidly escaped from phagosomes and established residence in the cytoplasm of the host cell. Interestingly, by facilitating an enhanced suppression of host cellular autophagy, this translocation served as an alternate virulence acquisition mechanism. Thus, our studies reveal plasticity in the adaptation strategies employed by Mtb, for survival in the host macrophage.
TLR3-/4-Priming Differentially Promotes Ca2+ Signaling and Cytokine Expression and Ca2+-Dependently Augments Cytokine Release in hMSCs
Authors: Park Kyoung Sun , Kim Sun Hwa , Das Amitabh , Yang Shao-Nian , Jung Kyoung Hwa , Kim Mi Kyung , Berggren Per-Olof , Lee YoungSeek , Chai Jin Choul , Kim Hyun Jin , Chai Young Gyu
Published: March 2016

In human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and TLR4 act as key players in the tissue repair process by recognizing their ligands and stimulating downstream processes including cytokine release. The mechanisms of TLR3- and TLR4-mediated cytokine releases from hMSCs remain uncertain. Here, we show that exposure to the TLR3 agonist polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) or incubation with the TLR4 agonist lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased the mRNA expression levels of TLR3, TLR4 and cytokines in hMSCs. Poly(I:C) exposure rather than LPS incubation not only elevated inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R) expression and IP3R-mediated Ca2+ release, but also promoted Orai and STIM expression as well as store-operated Ca2+ entry into hMSCs. In addition, we also observed that 21 Ca2+ signaling genes were significantly up-regulated in response to TLR3 priming of hMSCs by RNA sequencing analysis. Both poly(I:C) and LPS exposure enhanced cytokine release from hMSCs. The enhanced cytokine release vanished upon siRNA knockdown and chelation of intracellular Ca2+. These data demonstrate that TLR3- and TLR4-priming differentially enhance Ca2+ signaling and cytokine expression, and Ca2+ -dependently potentiates cytokine release in hMSCs.
Silencing of the olfactory co-receptor gene in Dendroctonus armandi leads to EAG response declining to major host volatiles
Authors: Zhang Ranran , Gao Guanqun , Chen Hui
Published: March 2016

In this study, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on homology genes of Orco was utilized to identify DarmOrco, which is essential for olfaction in D. armandi. The results showed that DarmOrco shares significant sequence homology with Orco proteins had known in other insects. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis suggested that DarmOrco was abundantly expressed in adult D. armandi; by contrast, DarmOrco showed trace amounts of expression level in other stages. Of different tissues, DarmOrco expression level was the highest in the antennae. In order to understand the functional significance of Orco, we injected siRNA of DarmOrco into the conjunctivum between the second and third abdominal segments and evaluated its expression after siRNA injected for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. The results of qRT-PCR demonstrated that the reduction of mRNA expression level was significant (~80%) in DarmOrco siRNA-treated D. armandi than in water-injected and non-injected controls. The electroantennogram responses of females and males to 11 major volatiles of its host, were also reduced (30~68% for females; 16~70% for males) in siRNA-treated D. armandi compared with the controls. These results suggest that DarmOrco is crucial in mediating odorant perception.
Transcriptome analysis of different developmental stages of amphioxus reveals dynamic changes of distinct classes of genes during development
Authors: Yang Kevin Yi , Chen Yuan , Zhang Zuming , Ng Patrick Kwok-Shing , Zhou Wayne Junwei , Zhang Yinfeng , Liu Minghua , Chen Junyuan , Mao Bingyu , Tsui Stephen Kwok-Wing
Published: March 2016

Vertebrates diverged from other chordates approximately 500 million years ago and have adopted several modifications of developmental processes. Amphioxus is widely used in evolutionary developmental biology research, such as on the basic patterning mechanisms involved in the chordate body plan and the origin of vertebrates. The fast development of next-generation sequencing has advanced knowledge of the genomic organization of amphioxus; however, many aspects of gene regulation during amphioxus development have not been fully characterized. In this study, we applied high-throughput sequencing on the transcriptomes of 13 developmental stages of Chinese amphioxus to gain a comprehensive understanding of transcriptional processes occurring from the fertilized egg to the adult stage. The expression levels of 3,423 genes were significantly changed (FDR ≤ 0.01). All of these genes were included in a clustering analysis and enrichment of biological functions associated with these clusters was determined. Significant changes were observed in several important processes, including the down-regulation of the cell cycle and the up-regulation of translation. These results should build a foundation for identifying developmentally important genes, especially those regulatory factors involved in amphioxus development and advance understanding of the developmental dynamics in vertebrates.
Tracking neighbours promotes the coexistence of large carnivores
Authors: López-Bao José Vicente , Mattisson Jenny , Persson Jens , Aronsson Malin , Andrén Henrik
Published: March 2016

The study of competition and coexistence among similar interacting species has long been considered a cornerstone in evolutionary and community ecology. However, understanding coexistence remains a challenge. Using two similar and sympatric competing large carnivores, Eurasian lynx and wolverines, we tested the hypotheses that tracking among heterospecifics and reactive responses to potential risk decreases the probability of an agonistic encounter when predators access shared food resources, thus facilitating coexistence. Lynx and wolverines actively avoided each other, with the degree of avoidance being greater for simultaneous than time-delayed predator locations. Wolverines reacted to the presence of lynx at relatively short distances (mean: 383 m). In general, lynx stayed longer and were more stationary, around reindeer carcasses than wolverines. However, when both predators were present at the same time around a carcass, lynx shortened their visits, while wolverine behavior did not change. Our results support the idea that risk avoidance is a reactive, rather than a predictive, process. Since wolverines have adapted to coexist with lynx, exploiting lynx-killed reindeer carcasses while avoiding potential encounters, the combined presence of both predators may reduce wolverine kill rate and thus the total impact of these predators on semi-domestic reindeer in Scandinavia. Consequently, population management directed at lynx may affect wolverine populations and human-wolverine conflicts.
Chromatin interactions and candidate genes at ten prostate cancer risk loci
Authors: Du Meijun , Tillmans Lori , Gao Jianzhong , Gao Ping , Yuan Tiezheng , Dittmar Rachel L , Song Wei , Yang Yuehong , Sahr Natasha , Wang Tao , Wei Gong-Hong , Thibodeau Stephen N. , Wang Liang
Published: March 2016

Genome-wide association studies have identified more than 100 common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with prostate cancer risk. However, the vast majority of these SNPs lie in noncoding regions of the genome. To test whether these risk SNPs regulate their target genes through long-range chromatin interactions, we applied capture-based 3C sequencing technology to investigate possible cis-interactions at ten prostate cancer risk loci in six cell lines. We identified significant physical interactions between risk regions and their potential target genes including CAPG at 2p11.2, C2orf43 at 2p24.1, RFX6 at 6q22.1, NFASC at 1q32.1, MYC at 8q24.1 and AGAP7P at 10q11.23. Most of the interaction peaks were co-localized to regions of active histone modification and transcription factor binding sites. Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis showed suggestive eQTL signals at rs1446669, rs699664 and rs1078004 for CAPG (p < 0.004), rs13394027 for C2orf43 (p = 2.25E-27), rs10993994 and rs4631830 for AGAP7P (p < 8.02E-5). Further analysis revealed an enhancer activity at genomic region surrounding rs4631830 which was expected to disrupt HOXB-like DNA binding affinity. This study identifies a set of candidate genes and their potential regulatory variants, and provides additional evidence showing the role of long-range chromatin interactions in prostate cancer etiology.
Effects of intervalley scattering on the transport properties in one−dimensional valleytronic devices
Authors: Zhou Jiaojiao , Cheng Shuguang , You Wen-Long , Jiang Hua
Published: March 2016

Based on a one-dimensional valley junction model, the effects of intervalley scattering on the valley transport properties are studied. We analytically investigate the valley transport phenomena in three typical junctions with both intervalley and intravalley scattering included. For the tunneling between two gapless valley materials, different from conventional Klein tunneling theory, the transmission probability of the carrier is less than 100% while the pure valley polarization feature still holds. If the junction is composed of at least one gapped valley material, the valley polarization of the carrier is generally imperfect during the tunneling process. Interestingly, in such circumstance, we discover a resonance of valley polarization that can be tuned by the junction potential. The extension of our results to realistic valley materials are also discussed.
Distinct Biochemical Activities of Eyes absent During Drosophila Eye Development
Authors: Jin Meng , Mardon Graeme
Published: March 2016

Eyes absent (Eya) is a highly conserved transcriptional coactivator and protein phosphatase that plays vital roles in multiple developmental processes from Drosophila to humans. Eya proteins contain a PST (Proline-Serine-Threonine)-rich transactivation domain, a threonine phosphatase motif (TPM) and a tyrosine protein phosphatase domain. Using a genomic rescue system, we find that the PST domain is essential for Eya activity and Dac expression and the TPM is required for full Eya function. We also find that the threonine phosphatase activity plays only a minor role during Drosophila eye development and the primary function of the PST and TPM domains is transactivation that can be largely substituted by the heterologous activation domain VP16. Along with our previous results that the tyrosine phosphatase activity of Eya is dispensable for normal Eya function in eye formation, we demonstrate that a primary function of Eya during Drosophila eye development is as a transcriptional coactivator. Moreover, the PST/TPM and the threonine phosphatase activity are not required for in vitro interaction between retinal determination factors. Finally, this work is the first report of an Eya-Ey physical interaction. These findings are particularly important because they highlight the need for an in vivo approach that accurately dissects protein function.
Superhigh moduli and tension-induced phase transition of monolayer gamma-boron at finite temperatures
Authors: Zhao Junhua , Yang Zhaoyao , Wei Ning , Kou Liangzhi
Published: March 2016

Two dimensional (2D) gamma-boron (γ-B28) thin films have been firstly reported by the experiments of the chemical vapor deposition in the latest study. However, their mechanical properties are still not clear. Here we predict the superhigh moduli (785 ± 42 GPa at 300 K) and the tension-induced phase transition of monolayer γ-B28 along a zigzag direction for large deformations at finite temperatures using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The new phase can be kept stable after unloading process at these temperatures. The predicted mechanical properties are reasonable when compared with our results from density functional theory. This study provides physical insights into the origins of the new phase transition of monolayer γ-B28 at finite temperatures.
Step down Vascular Calcification Analysis using State-of-the-Art Nanoanalysis Techniques
Authors: Curtze Sven C. , Kratz Marita , Steinert Marian , Vogt Sebastian
Published: March 2016

New insights into the architecture and formation mechanisms of calcific lesions down to the nanoscale open a better understanding of atherosclerosis and its pathogenesis. Scanning electron – and atomic force microscope based nano-analytical characterization techniques were adapted to the assessment of an ex-vivo calcified coronary artery. Human atherosclerotic tissue and bone tissue reside a typical chemistry of Magnesium and Sodium rich Calcium phosphates, identified as whitlockite and Calcium apatite, respectively. Despite the obvious similarities in both chemistry and crystallography, there are also clear differences between calcified vascular tissue and bone such as the highly oriented growth in bone, revealing meso-crystal character, as opposed to the anisotropic character of calcified vascular lesions. While the grain size in vascular calcified plaques is in the range of nanometers, the grain size in bone appears larger. Spherical calcific particles present in both the coronary artery wall and embedded in plaques reveal concentric layers with variations in both organic content and degree of hydration.
Fluorescence detection of telomerase activity in high concentration of cell lysates based on strand-displacement mediated recycling
Authors: Li Xiaoqian , Wang Wei , Chen Yaoyao , Ding Caifeng
Published: March 2016

Based on a template of the telomere elongation reaction of a telomerase substrate primer in the presence of telomerase, the strand-displacement process was used to prepare a fluorescence signal nanoprobe.
Non-invasive measurement of soluble solid content and pH in Kyoho grapes using a computer vision technique
Authors: Xia Zhengyan , Wu Di , Nie Pengcheng , He Yong
Published: March 2016

The determination of SSC and pH in grapes could be well performed on the basis of RGB color features.
One-step growth of 3D CoNi2S4 nanorods and cross-linked NiCo2S4 nanosheet arrays on carbon paper as anodes for high-performance lithium ion batteries
Authors: Yang Weiwei , Chen Liang , Yang Jie , Zhang Xiang , Fang Chun , Chen Zhiling , Huang Lin , Liu Jianguo , Zhou Yong , Zou Zhigang
Published: March 2016

3D cross-linked NiCo2S4 arrays have been grown on carbon paper (CP) using a one-step hydrothermal method.
Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling of enamides with sterically hindered α-bromocarbonyls
Authors: Ding Ran , Huang Zhi-Dao , Liu Zheng-Li , Wang Tian-Xiang , Xu Yun-He , Loh Teck-Peng
Published: March 2016

Palladium-catalyzed intermolecular alkylation of enamides with α-bromo carbonyls was developed. Under mild reaction conditions, various cyclic and acyclic enamides reacted well with α-bromo carbonyls to afford the corresponding multi-substituted alkene products in good yields. The coupling products could be converted into very useful γ-amino acid, δ-amino alcohol, 1,4-dicarbonyl and γ-lactam derivatives.
Hollow TiO2 microspheres: template-free synthesis, remarkable structure stability, and improved photoelectric performance
Authors: Fu Xinxin , Fan Chenyao , Shi Lin , Yu Siqi , Wang Zhiyu
Published: March 2016

HTS undergo an inside-out Ostwald ripening process, involving the dissolution of amorphous particles and nucleation of the crystalline phase.
Synthesis of 4-arylamino-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyridazines and pyridazino[3,4-b]quinoxalines (as by-products) from 3-aroylmethyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalines and hydrazine hydrate
Authors: Sosnovskikh Vyacheslav Y. , Safrygin Alexander V. , Irgashev Roman A. , Ezhikova Marina A. , Kodess Mikhail I.
Published: March 2016

A number of 4-arylamino-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyridazines were obtained in good yields via the novel reaction of 3-aroylmethyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)quinoxalines with an excess of hydrazine hydrate in refluxing n-butanol with or without acetic acid.
An enzyme-activatable and cell-permeable MnIII-porphyrin as a highly efficient T1 MRI contrast agent for cell labeling
Authors: Haedicke Inga E. , Li Tan , Zhu Yong Le K. , Martinez Francisco , Hamilton Amanda M. , Murrell Donna H. , Nofiele Joris T. , Cheng Hai-Ling M. , Scholl Timothy J. , Foster Paula J. , Zhang Xiao-an
Published: March 2016

MnAMP, a cell-trappable pro-contrast agent gets enzymatically activated and accumulated intracellularly to provide a strong MRI signal for cell labeling.
Solution processed SnO2:Sb transparent conductive oxide as an alternative to indium tin oxide for applications in organic light emitting diodes
Authors: Esro M. , Georgakopoulos S. , Lu H. , Vourlias G. , Krier A. , Milne W. I. , Gillin W. P. , Adamopoulos G.
Published: March 2016

Here, we present the deposition of antimony-doped tin oxide thin films using the ambient spray pyrolysis technique and demonstrate their implementation as transparent electrodes (anodes) in red, green and blue organic light emitting diodes.