bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Possible alendronate-induced polyarticular synovitis
Authors: Gökkus K , Yazicioglu G , Sagtas E , Uyan A , Aydin AT
Published: January 2016

We present a case of polyarticular synovitis following alendronate treatment for osteoporosis.

The patient had no evidence of rheumatoid arthritis, pyrophosphate arthropathy, or seronegative/seropositive arthritis. Our main aim in this study is to highlight the potential adverse effects of alendronate and to warn orthopedic surgeons about the possibility of such a side effect that might lead orthopedic surgeons to administer wrong and unnecessary treatments like arthrocentesis. The withdrawal of alendronate is found to be the treatment of choice. Alendronate should be considered as a possible cause of synovitis or polyarthritis in patients treated with this agent in the absence of any other pathology. An association between alendronate and synovitis has rarely been described in the literature. We present a patient who developed polyarticular synovitis after treatment with alendronate and responded to its withdrawal.
Genome-Wide Analysis of NBS-LRR Genes in Sorghum Genome Revealed Several Events Contributing to NBS-LRR Gene Evolution in Grass Species
Authors: Yang Xiping , Wang Jianping
Published: January 2016

The nucleotide-binding site (NBS)–leucine-rich repeat (LRR) gene family is crucially important for offering resistance to pathogens. To explore evolutionary conservation and variability of NBS-LRR genes across grass species, we identified 88, 107, 24, and 44 full-length NBS-LRR genes in sorghum, rice, maize, and Brachypodium, respectively. A comprehensive analysis was performed on classification, genome organization, evolution, expression, and regulation of these NBS-LRR genes using sorghum as a representative of grass species. In general, the full-length NBS-LRR genes are highly clustered and duplicated in sorghum genome mainly due to local duplications. NBS-LRR genes have basal expression levels and are highly potentially targeted by miRNA. The number of NBS-LRR genes in the four grass species is positively correlated with the gene clustering rate. The results provided a valuable genomic resource and insights for functional and evolutionary studies of NBS-LRR genes in grass species.
Effect of Oscillation Structures on Inertial-Range Intermittence and Topology in Turbulent Field
Authors: Yang Kun , Xia Zhenhua , Shi Yipeng , Chen Shiyi
Published: January 2016

Using the incompressible isotropic turbulent fields obtained from direct numerical simulation and large-eddy simulation, we studied the statistics of oscillation structures based on local zero-crossings and their relation with inertial-range intermittency for transverse velocity and passive scalar. Our results show that for both the velocity and passive scalar, the local oscillation structures are statistically scale-invariant at high Reynolds number, and the inertial-range intermittency of the overall flow region is determined by the most intermittent structures characterized by one local zero-crossing. Local flow patterns conditioned on the oscillation structures are characterized by the joint probability density function of the invariants of the filtered velocity gradient tensor at inertial range. We demonstrate that the most intermittent regions for longitudinal velocity tend to lay at the saddle area, while those for the transverse velocity tend to locate at the vortex-dominated area. The connection between the ramp-cliff structures in passive scalar field and the corresponding saddle regions in the velocity field is also verified by the approach of oscillation structure classification.
Outsourcing and Local Public Administration: Water and Sanitation Services Delivery and Women Participation in Urban Areas
Authors: BeBe Kalsoom , Bing Wang
Published: January 2016

Women in developing countries are the majority of those who access and use water and sanitation services but women’s low participation at decision making level in outsourcing and limited representation of women in services departments of local public administration aremajor obstruction to include women’s interests. The purpose of this paper is to analyze perceptions of women citizensand local officialsregarding water and sanitation services delivery situation, women responsive requirements and gender equality at decision making level in outsourcing. In order to conduct an empirical research, this paper has used multifactor structured questionnaire and for this purpose population of public sector local officials including women and women citizens are taken to ascertain the rationale of the study field.Women are most dissatisfied with the services, women responsive requirements and gender equality at decision making level while preparing the outsourcing requirements of services delivery but local officials hold more positive feelings. This study also finds that there is inadequate representation of women in the front line of basic public services organizations such as water and sanitation. It is important for public organizations to include women and women should get involvement in outsourcing requirements to improve water and sanitation services.
Searching for a trace of Artemisia campestris pollen in the air
Authors: Grewling Łukasz , Kasprzyk Idalia , Borycka Katarzyna , Chłopek Kazimiera , Kostecki Łukasz , Majkowska-Wojciechowska Barbara , Malkiewicz Małgorzata , Myszkowska Dorota , Nowak Małgorzata , Piotrowska-Weryszko Krystyna , Puc Małgorzata , Stawińska Marika , Balwierz Zofia , Szymańska Agata , Smith Matt , Sulborska Aneta , Weryszko-Chmielewska Elżbieta
Published: January 2016

The aim of the study was to determinate whether Artemisia campestris was present in the vicinity of 8 pollen monitoring stations in Poland by examining temporal variations in daily average airborne Artemisia pollen data recorded by Hirst type volumetric traps. Three day moving averages of airborne Artemisia pollen were examined by Spearman’s rank correlation test. Results show that Artemisia pollen seasons in Poland generally display similar unimodal patterns (correlation coefficients r > 0.900; P < 0.05). The only exception was the Artemisia pollen concentration noted in the outskirts of Poznań (Morasko), where the bimodal pattern was revealed. Correlations between Artemisia pollen data recorded at Poznań-Morasko and the other Polish sites were the lowest in the investigated dataset; this was particularly noticeable in the second part of pollen season (r ~0.730). We show that the typical bimodal pattern in Artemisia pollen seasons, which is characteristic of the presence of both A. vulgaris (first peak) and A. campestris (second peak), does not occur at the majority of sites in Poland and is restricted to the outskirts of Poznań. In fact, it was noted that the pollen monitoring site in Poznań-Centre, just 8 km from Morasko, only exhibited one peak (attributed to A. vulgaris). This shows that the influence of A. campestris on airborne pollen season curves is limited and can be largely disregarded. In addition, this study supports previous records showing that the spatial distribution of airborne Artemisia pollen within a city (urban-rural gradient) can vary markedly, depending on the species composition.
Walter Brueggemann. Chosen?: Reading the Bible amid the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Authors: Pettit Peter A.
Published: January 2016

No abstract is available.
Une ré-écriture de l’histoire d’hier et d’aujourd’hui : « l’affaire Mahé »
Authors: Dubé Paul
Published: January 2016

«L’affaire Mahé» – cette bataille menée par quelques parents albertains pour le contrôle des écoles françaises en milieu minoritaire francophone dans la foulée de l’article 23 de laCharte canadienne des droits et libertés, couronnée par une victoire décisive en Cour suprême en 1990 – amorce une ré-écriture de l’histoire en trois temps. D’abord, dans ses retombées et l’étendue de ses effets sur les communautés francophones du Canada, elle vient arrêter le cours de l’histoire tel qu’on l’avait programmé dans les «grands récits» assimilateurs qui ponctuent l’histoire du Canada. Deuxièmement, ce mouvement de parents s’est constitué en raison de l’inertie dans ce dossier de l’establishment local, qui poursuit une stratégie d’occultation, commencée à la fin des années 1980, pour rayer de la mémoire collective le récit historique réel de la lutte et de ses principaux protagonistes dans le but de se réhabiliter dans l’Histoire. Les immenses retombées sociales et politiques de l’arrêtMaheaboutissant dans nos milieux à une presque complétude institutionnelle, combinées aux flux migratoires importants qui viennent enrichir de moult façons nos communautés, tout cela a le potentiel de produire une nouvelle «communauté de destin»: les éléments de celle-ci, qui peuvent participer à la construction de la communauté francophone composite de demain, forment la trame de la troisième (ré-)écriture de cet essai sur les rencontres entre des histoires et l’Histoire.
Mindfulness- and Acceptance-based Interventions for Psychosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Cramer Holger , Lauche Romy , Haller Heidemarie , Langhorst Jost , Dobos Gustav
Published: January 2016

Background

Mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions are increasingly studied as a potential treatment for a variety of mental conditions.

Objective

To assess the effects of mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions on psychotic symptoms and hospitalization in patients with psychosis

Methods

MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO were screened from inception through April 2015. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were analyzed when they assessed psychotic symptoms or hospitalization in patients with psychosis; affect, acceptance, mind-fulness, and safety were defined as secondary outcomes.

Results

Eight RCTs with a total of 434 patients comparing mindfulness-based (4 RCTs) or acceptance-based interventions (4 RCTs) to treatment as usual or attention control were included. Six RCTs had low risk of bias. Moderate evidence was found for short-term effects on total psychotic symptoms, positive symptoms, hospitalization rates, duration of hospitalization, and mindfulness and for long-term effects on total psychotic symptoms and duration of hospitalization. No evidence was found for effects on negative symptoms, affect, or acceptance. No serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

Mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions can be recommended as an additional treatment for patients with psychosis.
Solar activity dependence of nightside aurora in winter conditions
Authors: Zhou Su , Luan Xiaoli , Dou Xiankang
Published: January 2016

The dependence of the nightside (21:00–03:00 MLT; magnetic local time) auroral energy flux on solar activity was quantitatively studied for winter/dark and geomagnetically quiet conditions. Using data combined from Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics/Global Ultraviolet Imager and Defense Meteorological Satellite Program/Special Sensor Ultraviolet Spectrographic Imager observations, we separated the effects of geomagnetic activity from those of solar flux on the nightside auroral precipitation. The results showed that the nightside auroral power was reduced by ~42% in solar maximum (F10.7 = 200 sfu; solar flux unit 1 sfu = 10−22 W m−2 Hz−1) with respect to that under solar minimum (F10.7 = 70 sfu) for the Kp = 1 condition, and this change rate became less (~21%) for the Kp = 3 condition. In addition, the solar cycle dependence of nightside auroral power was similar with that from both the premidnight (21:00–23:00 MLT) and postmidnight (01:00–03:00 MLT) sectors. These results indicated that as the ionospheric ionization increases with the enhanced auroral and geomagnetic activities, the solar activity dependences of nightside auroral power become weaker, at least under geomagnetically quiet conditions.
Increased mass loss and asynchronous behavior of marine‐terminating outlet glaciers at Upernavik Isstrøm, NW Greenland
Authors: Larsen Signe Hillerup , Khan Shfaqat Abbas , Ahlstrøm Andreas Peter , Hvidberg Christine Schøtt , Willis Michael John , Andersen Signe Bech
Published: January 2016

In order to model and predict future behavior of marine terminating glaciers, it is essential to understand the different factors that control a glaciers response to climate change. Here we present a detailed study of the asynchronous changes in dynamic behavior of four adjacent marine‐terminating glaciers at Upernavik Isstrøm (UI), northwest Greenland, between 1992 and 2013. Velocities were stable for all outlets at UI between 1992 and 2005. The northernmost glacier started to accelerate and thin in 2006 and continued to do so into 2011 after which time the velocities stabilized. The second most northerly glacier started to accelerate and thin in 2009 and continued to do so until the last observations in 2013, dramatically increasing the area affected by dynamically induced thinning. The southern glaciers show little change, with the most southerly glacier undergoing slight retreat and deceleration between 1992 and 2013. These observations point out the fact that the UI glaciers are reacting to climate change on different timescales. The asynchronous behavior of the four neighboring glaciers is explained in terms of the individual glaciers geometry and terminus position. The northernmost glacier is believed to have had a floating tongue between 1985 and 2007 which disintegrated in 2007–2008. This release of back stress destabilized the glacier causing it to accelerate and thin rapidly. We suggest that the ice tongue broke up due to ocean‐warming‐induced thinning in the late 1990s. Recent response on UI glaciers is found to be related to increased surface melt. Our investigations suggest that three out of the four main glaciers in the UI are likely to be in unstable positions and may have the potential to rapidly thin and accelerate and increase their contribution to sea level in the future.
Estimation of composite hydraulic resistance in ice‐covered alluvial streams
Authors: Ghareh Aghaji Zare Soheil , Moore Stephanie A. , Rennie Colin D. , Seidou Ousmane , Ahmari Habib , Malenchak Jarrod
Published: January 2016

Formation, propagation, and recession of ice cover introduce a dynamic boundary layer to the top of rivers during northern winters. Ice cover affects water velocity magnitude and distribution, water level and consequently conveyance capacity of the river. In this research, total resistance, i.e., “composite resistance,” is studied for a 4 month period including stable ice cover, breakup, and open water stages in Lower Nelson River (LNR), northern Manitoba, Canada. Flow and ice characteristics such as water velocity and depth and ice thickness and condition were measured continuously using acoustic techniques. An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) and Shallow Water Ice Profiling Sonar (SWIPS) were installed simultaneously on a bottom mount and deployed for this purpose. Total resistance to the flow and boundary roughness are estimated using measured bulk hydraulic parameters. A novel method is developed to calculate composite resistance directly from measured under ice velocity profiles. The results of this method are compared to the measured total resistance and to the calculated composite resistance using formulae available in literature. The new technique is demonstrated to compare favorably to measured total resistance and to outperform previously available methods.
Secondary Metabolites: Deterring Herbivores
Authors: Wink Michael
Published: January 2016

All plants produce and store secondary metabolites (SMs), which are not important for primary or energy metabolism of a plant. However, SMs are not waste products, but important for the ecological fitness and survival of the plants producing them. Apparently, plants have evolved the production and storage of SM as a means to defend themselves against herbivores, bacteria, fungi and viruses, as well as other competing plants. Most SMs can interfere with basic molecular targets of animals or microbes and thus provide plants with an adequate protection against a multitude of enemies. Plants usually produce complex mixtures of SMs, which can work in an additive or even synergistic way. Some defence chemicals address a single target, such as a neurotransmitter receptor or an ion channel; others have a broad‐activity spectrum and exhibit pleiotropic activities on several targets. SMs also serve as signal compounds attracting pollinating and fruit‐dispersing animals.

Key Concepts

Plants cannot run away when attacked by herbivores; they use defence chemicals to ward off enemies.

Plants do not have an elaborate immune system with specific antibodies to defend themselves against microbes, and instead use antimicrobial secondary metabolites (SMs) in their innate immune system.

Plants produce and store complex mixtures of SMs with additive or even synergistic activities.

SMs are important for chemical defence but are also used to attract pollinating and fruit‐dispersing animals.

The process of biosynthesis, transport and storage of SMs is energetically costly.

Some SMs specifically interact with a particular molecular target in herbivores or microbes, whereas other SMs are nonselective, thus being able to address a multitude of enemies.

Synthesis, transport and storage of SMs are optimised in space and time to fulfil the ecological functions.

Although some SMs are stored in a constitutive way, others are inducible and are only made in case of danger.

Jasmonic acid and salicylic acid are important signal molecules in the regulation of SM biosynthesis.

Herbivores have evolved effective biochemical adaptations towards the defence chemistry of plants, involving cytochrome p450 enzymes and ABC transporters.
CD1d
‐Restricted Natural Killer
T
Cells
Authors: Hill Timothy M , Bezbradica Jelena S , Van Kaer Luc , Joyce Sebastian
Published: January 2016

Natural killer T (NKT) cells that express the semi‐invariant T‐cell receptor are innate‐like lymphocytes whose functions are controlled by self and foreign glycolipid ligands. Such ligands are presented by the antigen‐presenting, MHC class I‐like molecule CD1d, which belongs to a family of lipid antigen‐presenting molecules collectively called CD1. Activation of NKT cells
in vivo
results in rapid release of copious amounts of effector cytokines and chemokines with which they regulate innate and adaptive immune responses to pathogens, certain types of cancers and self‐antigens. The nature of CD1d‐restricted ligands, the manners in which they are recognised and the unique effector functions of NKT cells suggest an immunoregulatory role for this T‐cell subset. Their ability to respond fast and our ability to steer NKT cell cytokine responses to altered lipid ligands make them an important target for vaccine design and immunotherapies against autoimmune diseases. This article summarises our current understanding of CD1d‐restricted NKT cell biology and how these innate‐like lymphocytes control inflammation.

Key Concepts

CD1d molecules belong to a family of lipid antigen‐presenting molecules collectively called CD1.

CD1d molecules resemble peptide antigen‐presenting MHC class I molecules.

CD1d molecules restrict the specificity and functions of Natural killer T (NKT) cells.

NKT cells recognise self‐ and nonself‐lipid ligands.

Antigen recognition quickly activates NKT cells, which respond immediately by releasing proinflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines and chemokines.

Activated NKT cells communicate with cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems by cell–cell interactions and/or via soluble mediators.

Such communications allow NKT cells to control immune responses to microbial pathogens and certain cancers.

NKT‐cell activation has beneficial and, sometimes, adverse effects on certain autoimmune and metabolic disorders.

NKT cells are targets for vaccine adjuvants and immunotherapies.
Streptomycetaceae: Phylogeny, Ecology and Pathogenicity
Authors: Glaeser Stefanie P , Kämpfer Peter
Published: January 2016

The family Streptomycetaceae contains three genera,Streptomyces,KitasatosporaandStreptacidiphilus, withStreptomycesbeing the best known and most diverse of these three genera. Members of this family are adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions and habitats, and show a variety of colony – and cell morphological characteristics.Streptomycesare notable for their complex developmental cycle and production of bioactive secondary metabolites, producing more than two‐thirds of commercially available and clinically useful antibiotics of natural origin (e.g. neomycin, cypemycin, grisemycin, bottromycins and chloramphenicol). Antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic and immunosuppressant compounds have all been identified as products ofStreptomycessecondary metabolism. Isolated predominantly from soil and decaying vegetation, most streptomycetes produce spores. Many of them produce a distinct ‘earthy’ odour that results from production of a volatile metabolite, geosmin. They are also capable of forming many and diverse hydrolytic exoenzymes, like cellulases and chitinases. The genetics and genomics of streptomycetes is a rapidly developing area. Only a fewStreptomycesspecies are known to be pathogens, although infections, in humans, such as mycetoma, can be caused byS. somaliensisandS. sudanensis, and in plants can be caused byS. caviscabies,S. acidiscabies,S. turgidiscabiesandS. scabies.

Key Concepts

Comparisons of whole genome sequences will become the future basis of classification ofStreptomycesspecies.

Morphological and physiological features as well as chemotaxonomic markers remain distinctive and important for the taxonomy of the family Streptomycetaceae.

Genetics and Genomics of streptomycetes reveal complex mechanisms of adaptation to various environments.

Antimicrobial compounds and other secondary metabolites are produced in natural habitats inter‐kingdom communication, as signal molecules or defence molecules to defend a growth niche.
Mitochondrial Fission/Fusion and Disease
Authors: Higgins Gavin C , Coughlan Melinda T
Published: January 2016

The mitochondria are a multifaceted organelle, central to the function of all eukaryotic cells. Mitochondria are critical to cell metabolism and critical for regulation of intrinsic cell death pathways. This balance between life and death is reliant on the process of mitochondrial fission and fusion, constantly joining and separating to maintain the mitochondrial network within the cell and to facilitate cellular events such as mitosis, biogenesis and maintenance of mitochondrial integrity via mitophagy. The dynamic fluctuations in the architecture of these organelles is garnering increased attention across a broad range of disciplines and diseases. Such diseases include genetic disorders such as Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease type
2A
and autosomal‐dominant optic atrophy, as well as pathologies associated with mitochondrial dysfunction such as chronic neurodegeneration such as Parkinson disease, type 2 diabetes and various forms of chronic and acute kidney injury.

Key Concepts

Mitochondria undergo constant fission and fusion to maintain function and biogenesis.

Impairment of mitochondrial dynamics can result in reduced oxidative phosphorylation and cell death.

Impairment of mitochondrial dynamics is associated with diseases involving cells abundant in mitochondria.

Mitochondrial fusion is associated with energy production.

Mitochondrial fragmentation is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and turnover by mitophagy.
Genetics of Essential Tremor
Authors: Jiménez‐Jiménez Félix Javier , Alonso‐Navarro Hortensia , García‐Martín Elena , Ortega‐Cubero Sara , Pastor Pau , Agúndez José AG
Published: January 2016

The etiopathogenesis of essential tremor (ET) is not definitively resolved. The role of genetics in the development of ET is supported by epidemiological and family studies. A high frequency of positive family history of ET or tremor among subjects with ET has been reported. In addition, twin studies have shown higher concordance rates of ET in monozygotic than in dizygotic twins. However, a role of environmental factors, at least in nonfamilial forms, cannot be excluded. Linkage and whole exome sequencing studies have identified several susceptibility loci for familial ET, which only should explain a small percentage of ET heritability. Genome‐Wide Association Studies (GWAS) identified two genes related with ET risk, but the results of further meta‐analysis showed a modest increase in the risk for familial ET by twoLINGO1gene variants. Recently, missense mutations in TENM4 gene, a regulator of axon guidance and central myelination, possibly cause essential tremor. Several case–control association studies have shown association between the variants of certain genes in the risk for ET, but they deserve confirmation by further studies.

Key Concepts

Genetic factors play an important role in the risk for ET, as is supported by the high frequency of positive family history of tremor, and data from twin studies.

As not all cases of ET are explained by genetic factors, a possible role of unknown environmental factors has been suggested in sporadic ET.

The usual inheritance pattern is autosomal dominant with incomplete penetrance, although typical autosomal dominant, multifactorial, non‐Mendelian or other inheritance patterns have been described.

Linkage studies identified three susceptibility loci (ETM1,ETM2andETM3) for ET in several families, but they have not been replicated in others.

Whole exome sequencing studies have identified other three susceptibility loci (FUS/TLSorETM4,HTRA2andTENM4) in several families. These data await confirmation.

Genome‐Wide Association Studies (GWAS) described increased risk related with variants ofLINGO1(a meta‐analysis of studies showed a modest increase of risk in familial essential tremor) andSLC1A2(not confirmed in a meta‐analysis) genes.

A recent study, which deserve further replication, has shown association between two variants ofheme‐oxygenase 1and2(HMOX1andHMOX2), involved in iron metabolism, and the risk for ET.

Interaction between genes could possibly influence the risk for ET, as suggested in recent experimental models.
Thalidomide and Birth Defects
Authors: Fraga Lucas Rosa , Diamond Alexandra J , Vargesson Neil
Published: January 2016

Thalidomide is a teratogenic drug that caused horrific birth defects when prescribed as an antiemetic to pregnant women in the 1960s. The most stereotypical defect is symmetrical limb malformations such as phocomelia, although ear, eye and internal organ defects are also observed. Thalidomide was consequently withdrawn from the market. However, Thalidomide has since been shown to have many beneficial antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, and is therefore used in a regulated manner in the treatment against cancers and inflammatory disorders. Sadly, new cases of babies being born affected by thalidomide, likely due to medicine sharing, are reported in Brazil. The mechanisms of how thalidomide causes a wide range of embryonic malformations are becoming clearer; thalidomide is thought to act through molecules such as cereblon and tubulin and also affects blood vessel development and cell death, resulting in teratogenesis. Fully understanding the molecular events induced by thalidomide is essential if we are to develop a safe but clinically relevant form of the drug.

Key Concepts

Thalidomide was used between 1957 and 1961 as a ‘safe’ treatment for morning sickness, but was withdrawn after it was found to cause severe birth defects.

Thalidomide has since been shown to possess antiinflammatory, antiangiogenic and antiproliferative properties.

Thalidomide is now used, under strict regulations, to treat human inflammatory disorders and cancer.

Thalidomide causes embryonic damage in a short time‐sensitive window between day 20 and 36 postfertilisation in humans.

Thalidomide causes damage to the majority of the body tissues; among the most common and stereotypical damage is to the limbs.

Effects of thalidomide can vary depending on the species exposed, some species being more sensitive to the drug than others.

Evidence supports blood vessels as a primary target of thalidomide.

Possible other pathways involved in thalidomide‐induced embryopathy are oxidative stress induction, cell death and binding to Cereblon.

Cereblon acts as a target of thalidomide for treatment of multiple myeloma in adult humans.
Prions
Authors: Lawson Victoria A
Published: January 2016

Prion diseases are invariably fatal neurodegenerative disorders associated with the aberrant folding of the normal cellular prion protein. The disease affects both humans and animals and in humans occurs in sporadic, familial and acquired forms. In the absence of a conventional infectious agent, the acquired forms of the disease occur through the transmission and propagation of the misfolded form of the prion protein, or prion. This article will review the key clinical and pathological features of prion diseases affecting animals and humans and the characteristics of the normal and disease‐associated forms of the prion protein. It will further demonstrate how scientific research has contributed to our understanding of how a misfolded protein can transmit disease between individuals of the same and different species.

Key Concepts

Prion protein misfolding and disease.

An overview of prion diseases that affect humans and animals.

Biology of the cellular prion protein.

Proving that a protein can transmit disease.

What is the species barrier and prion strains.

An introduction to ‘prion‐like’ protein aggregation.
Blood transcriptome changes after stroke in an African American population
Authors: Meller Robert , Pearson Andrea N. , Hardy Jimmaline J. , Hall Casey L. , McGuire Dawn , Frankel Michael R. , Simon Roger P.
Published: January 2016

Objective

Molecular diagnostic medicine holds much promise to change point of care treatment. An area where additional diagnostic tools are needed is in acute stroke care, to assist in diagnosis and prognosis. Previous studies using microarray‐based gene expression analysis of peripheral blood following stroke suggests this approach may be effective. Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) approaches have expanded genomic analysis and are not limited to previously identified genes on a microarray chip. Here, we report on a pilot NGS study to identify gene expression and exon expression patterns for the prediction of stroke diagnosis and prognosis.

Methods

We recruited 28 stroke patients and 28 age‐ and sex‐matched hypertensive controls. RNA was extracted from 3 mL blood samples, and RNA‐Seq libraries were assembled and sequenced.

Results

Bioinformatical analysis of the aligned RNA data reveal exonic (30%), intronic (36%), and novel RNA components (not currently annotated: 33%). We focused our study on patients with confirmed middle cerebral artery occlusion ischemic stroke (n = 17). On the basis of our observation of differential splicing of gene transcripts, we used all exonic RNA expression rather than gene expression (combined exons) to build prediction models using support vector machine algorithms. Based on model building, these models have a high predicted accuracy rate >90% (spec. 88% sen. 92%). We further stratified outcome based on the improvement in NIHss scores at discharge; based on model building we observe a predicted 100% accuracy rate.

Interpretation

NGS‐based exon expression analysis approaches have a high potential for patient diagnosis and outcome prediction, with clear utility to aid in clinical patient care.
Macroscopic Anatomy of the Saimaa Ringed Seal (Phoca hispida saimensis) Lower Respiratory Tract
Authors: Laakkonen Juha , Jernvall Jukka
Published: January 2016

We studied the macroscopic anatomy of the lower respiratory tract of the endangered Saimaa ringed seal (Phoca hispida saimensis). Examination of one adult and one young individual found dead showed that trachea had 85 and 86 complete cartilage rings. The adjacent cartilages exhibited very few random anastomoses. There was variation in the confirmation of the trachea between the cranial and caudal part of the trachea. The right lung was divided by partly incomplete inter‐lobar fissures into cranial, middle, caudal, and accessory lobes. The left lung consisted of cranial, middle, and caudal lobes. The lungs were characterized by a high amount of interlobular connective tissue. Silicone casts were prepared of the two specimens to visualize the tracheobronchial branching which was similar to that of marine ringed seals but in the Saimaa ringed seal the right middle lobar bronchus originated at the same level as the accessory lobar bronchus. Anat Rec, 299:538–543, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
mPW1PW91‐Calculated Structures, IR Spectra, and Frontier Orbitals of Benzoylmethoxythiacalix[4]arene Complexed with Alkali Metal Ions
Authors: Ham Seung Wook , Choe Jong‐In
Published: January 2016

The molecular structures of four conformers [cone (CONE), partial cone (PACO), 1,2‐alternate (12A), and 1,3‐alternate (13A)] of benzoylmethoxythiacalix[4]arene 1 and the corresponding alkali metal ion complexes were optimized by using a mPW1PW91/6‐31G(d,p) (hybrid Hartree–Fock density functional) calculation method. The 13A conformer was the most stable among the various conformers of 1 because of less steric hindrance. The total electronic and Gibbs free energies, complexation energies, and the gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) frontier orbitals of the complexes of 1 with the sodium and potassium ions were analyzed. Among the ditopic complexes, the 13A‐type 1•2Na+ complex exhibited the strongest binding efficiency. The binding efficiency of the CONE‐type 1•Na+ complex was much stronger than that of the 12A‐type 1•Na+ complex. However, the 1•K+ complexes were relatively insensitive to the conformation of host 1. The calculated binding preference of the various conformers is consistent with the empirical solution data. The infrared spectra of the conformers of 1 and their exo complexes with the alkali metal ions were calculated by mPW1PW91 and analyzed.
An Efficient Synthesis of Mono‐Substituted Benzyl Ferrocene Derivatives
Authors: Abdullah Razack , Chung Keunwoo , Kim Young‐Wun , Hong In Seok
Published: January 2016

The direct alkylation of ferrocene (FC) can be achieved via a Friedel–Craft reaction using an alkyl halide and AlCl3
; however, this invariably leads to mixtures of mono‐ and poly‐alkylated complexes. Here, we describe the synthesis of mono‐substituted benzyl FC derivatives by a Friedel–Craft reaction utilizing environmentally benign substrates such as benzyl and allyl alcohol and a catalytic amount of Lewis acid in the absence of organic solvents. The use of molten FC, which plays the role of a solvent, proved a robust way to produce excellent yields of the mono‐substituted FC derivatives. Furthermore, this novel synthetic method is very simple and offers great potential for the industrial‐scale synthesis of FC derivatives.
Antitubercular Activities of the Novel Synthesized 1,2,4‐Triazole Derivatives
Authors: Oh Taegwon , Hayat Faisal , Yoo Euna , Cho Sang‐Nae , Sheen Yhun Yhung , Kim Dae‐Kee , Park Choo Hea‐Young
Published: January 2016

1,2,4‐Triazoles exert antimycobacterial activity by inhibiting the cell wall biosynthesis. In an attempt to developing lead compounds exhibiting antitubercular activities, a series of 1,2,4‐triazole derivatives were synthesized by introducing various substitutes into a scaffold and the antitubercular activity was evaluated. The most potent compounds 3e and 8d showed their minimum inhibitory concentrations against Mycobacterium tuberculosis as 12.5 μM. The results indicate that those compounds can be considered as leads for further development of new 1,2,4‐triazole type candidates with high antitubercular activities.
Searching for Growth Conditions for Optimized Expression of Recombinant Proteins in Escherichia coli by Using Two‐Dimensional NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Chae Young Kee , Kim Seol Hyun
Published: January 2016

Escherichia coli has been widely used as a host to produce recombinant proteins. However, because of its prokaryotic nature, it often fails to produce eukaryotic proteins in their native or correctly folded forms. To devise a systematic way to find such a condition that produces a large amount of correctly folded proteins, we chose to perturb the composition of intracellular metabolites by imposing different stresses such as the addition of sorbitol, NaCl, pH, and ethanol, and to monitor which metabolites showed the largest differences in the case of successful protein production. We profiled the metabolites under stresses by using two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy, and identified 39 metabolites after the protein production phase. We found that mild NaCl stress increased the yield of the target protein. Mildly high pH stress also helped in producing more of the target protein, and there is likely a connection between the isoelectric point of the target protein and the pH of medium for a higher yield. Exogenous sorbitol appeared to have been used to produce an osmoprotectant (trehalose) or direct energy source (glucose); thus it is advised that its use should not include isotopic labeling. Mild ethanol stress did not cause any significant change either in the metabolite profile or in the target protein production. We hope this work might shed light on how to improve production of the target protein by adjusting the external environment.
Upconversion Photoluminescence Properties of KGd(WO4)2:Ho3+/Yb3+ Phosphors Synthesized by Microwave‐assisted Sol‐Gel Method
Authors: Lim Chang Sung
Published: January 2016

Double tungstate KGd1

−x
(WO4
)2:Ho3+/Yb3+ phosphors with doping concentrations of Ho3+ and Yb3+ (x = Ho3+ + Yb3+, Ho3+ = 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and Yb3+ = 0.2, 0.45) were successfully synthesized by the microwave‐assisted sol‐gel method, and the upconversion (UC) mechanisms by a two‐photon process have been investigated in detail. Well‐crystallized particles, formed after heat‐treatment at 900 °C for 16 h, showed a fine and homogeneous morphology with particle sizes of 2–10 µm. Under excitation at 980 nm, the UC intensities of KGd0

.7(WO4
)2:Ho0.

1Yb0

.2 and KGd0

.5(WO4
)
2Ho0

.

05Yb0

.45 particles exhibited yellow emissions based on a strong 550‐nm emission band in the green region and a strong 655‐nm emission band in the red region, which were assigned to the
5S2
/
5F4
→
5I8
and
5F5
→
5I8
transitions, respectively. The Raman spectra of the particles indicated the appearance of strong peaks at higher frequencies (1050, 1106, 1250, and 1340 cm−1).
Correlation of Drug and Carbon Nanotube Size in Encapsulation and Free Energy Calculation: A Molecular Insight
Authors: Ghadamgahi Maryam , Ajloo Davood
Published: January 2016

Spontaneous encapsulation of drugs into carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has attracted great interest because of their importance in biological and biomedical devices. In this work, the diameter dependence of 20 drugs on the carbon nanotube size was explored via molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Negative free energy of interaction, reduced potential of mean force, reduced CNT–drug distance, and reduced number of water molecules after encapsulation confirm the encapsulation of the drug into the smallest possible size of CNT. The variations of the radius of gyration of the CNTs and drugs were compared to explore the correlation trend. One of the factors influencing the encapsulation and insertion of drug is the size of the nanotube. In addition, the linear correlation between the drug and the nanotube size was confirmed by quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) analysis, and the multiple linear regression (MLR) method was applied to develop the correlation model. The regression parameter provided by the MLR method was R2 = 0.99 for prediction of the drug gyration radius. The MLR prediction confirms that the larger drug molecule prefers to locate inside a larger CNT, which agrees with MD data. It was found that there is π–π interaction between the oxygen atoms and the aromatic ring of some of the drugs and the aromatic rings of CNTs are conjugated; this helps the drug molecule to locate inside the CNT. These theoretical methods provide a simple, detailed, and alternative method to obtain optimal tube size for encapsulation.
Environmentally Benign Synthesis of Symmetrically Substituted Oligoquinolines under Solvent‐free Microwave Irradiation
Authors: Park Kwi‐Jeon , Kwon Tae‐Woo
Published: January 2016

Conjugated quinolines were synthesized by the reaction between aminobenzophenones and various diacetyl compounds such as diacetyl phenothiazine, diacetylcarbazole, and diacetyl biphenyl and di/triacetyl benzene under solvent‐free microwave irradiation in 12–98% yields. Symmetrically substituted oligoquinolines were predominantly formed within 12 min in the presence of 0.5 equiv of diphenylphosphate catalyst without any solvent.
Gold Nanoparticle‐based Surface‐enhanced Raman Scattering Fe(III) Ion Sensor
Authors: Ly Nguyen Hoang , Cho Kwang‐Hwi , Joo Sang‐Woo
Published: January 2016

We performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations of 4‐aminobenzo‐15‐crown‐5 (4AB15C5) in conjugation with 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid (4MCB) with the polarizable continuum model (PCM) while considering the aqueous media. After specific binding of the ferric ion onto the 4MCB–4AB15C5 compound, the Raman frequencies and intensities were estimated by DFT calculations with the PCM. It was predicted that the Raman intensities became significantly increased upon binding of the ferric ion. 4MCB–4AB15C5 could be assembled on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) via the cleavage of the thiol bond. Colorimetric and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy indicated that AuNPs became significantly aggregated in the presence of 1–10 mM of the ferric ion. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of 4MCB–4AB15C5 was used to identify the dissimilar spectral behaviors that yield a difference in intensity in the presence of the ferric ion. These changes were not observed in the other biological ions Zn2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, NH4

+, and Co2+. This study indicated that 4AB15C5 could be used to detect ferric ions in aqueous AuNP solutions by a combined method of colorimetric, UV–Vis absorption, and Raman spectroscopy. AuNPs–[4MCB–4AB15C5] can thus be utilized as a selective turn‐on sensor to Fe3+ in aqueous solutions above 1 mM.
Linker‐dependent Junction Formation Probability in Single‐Molecule Junctions
Authors: Yoo Pil Sun , Kim Taekyeong
Published: January 2016

We compare the junction formation probabilities of single‐molecule junctions with different linker molecules by using a scanning tunneling microscope‐based break‐junction technique. We found that the junction formation probability varies as SH > SMe > NH2
for the benzene backbone molecule with different types of anchoring groups, through quantitative statistical analysis. These results are attributed to different bonding forces according to the linker groups formed with Au atoms in the electrodes, which is consistent with previous works. Our work allows a better understanding of the contact chemistry in the metal–molecule junction for future molecular electronic devices.
Simulated Solar Light Responsive Carbon Nitride/TiO2 Nanofiber Heterojunction Photocatalyst: Synthesis, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Zhang Jian , Wang Yanjuan , Hu Shaozheng
Published: January 2016

A carbon nitride/TiO2
nanofiber heterojunction photocatalyst that is responsive to simulated solar light is prepared by a simple self‐assembly method. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) are used to characterize the prepared catalysts. The results indicate that the TiO2
nanofiber is coated by the g‐C3N4
sheet to form a core/shell structure, which is favorable for the fast interfacial charge transfer and separation of the photogenerated electron–hole pairs. The activity and stability of carbon nitride/TiO2
nanofiber heterojunction photocatalyst are tested in the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated solar light. The rate constant of TiNF(0.3)‐CN is found to be 0.044 min−1, which is 4 and 2.2 times higher than that of single TiO2
nanofiber and g‐C3N4
, respectively. A possible mechanism is proposed.
Synthesis and evaluation of folate‐immobilized 198Au@SiO2 nanocomposite materials for the diagnosis of folate‐receptor‐overexpressed tumor
Authors: Lee Jun Young , Park Jeong Hoon , Kim Sang Wook
Published: January 2016

Folate‐conjugated fluorescent silica–gold nanoparticles (FSGNs‐F) and radioactive gold nanoparticles [S(
198Au)GNs‐F] were prepared and evaluated for the detection of folate‐receptor‐overexpressed cancer. Fluorescence imaging showed that FSGNs‐F was targeted successively to mouse colon carcinoma cells (CT‐26, folate receptor positive), whereas vague localization was observed in human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (A549, folate receptor negative). S(
198Au)GNs‐F also targeted CT‐26 cells in a time‐dependent manner: 35.2 ± 1.20% at 15 min, 39.3 ± 1.95% at 30 min, 41.6 ± 1.62% at 60 min, and 49.8 ± 1.22% at 120 min. In addition, the biodistribution of S(
198Au)GNs‐F showed significant uptake in CT‐26 tumors with 0.58 ± 0.02 and 0.42 ± 0.02 %ID/g at 60 and 120 min, respectively. The tumor to blood ratio was 2.18 at 120 min after the injection. These results suggest that S(
198Au)Ns‐F has potential as a folate‐receptor‐targeted agent.
A Novel Partial PPARα/γ Dual Agonist SN159 Improves Insulin Sensitivity
Authors: Jung Yujung , Cao Yongkai , Paudel Suresh , Kim Ki Hyun , Yoon Goo , Cheon Seung Hoon , Lee Jee‐Young , Kim Su‐Nam , Kim Yong Kee
Published: January 2016

We here demonstrate that (E)‐1‐(3‐aminophenyl)‐3‐(5‐bromo‐4‐hydroxy‐2‐methoxyphenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (SN159) is a novel peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) partial agonist that improves insulin sensitivity. SN159 interacted directly with PPARα and PPARγ, which were confirmed by LanthaScreen ligand binding assay and molecular docking study. SN159 treatment leads to a significant improvement of insulin sensitivity, resulting in enhancing glucose uptake in muscle cells. SN159 stimulated adipogenic differentiation of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes, however, the effects were much weaker than those of PPARγ agonist troglitazone. In parallel, SN159 increased weakly the transcriptional activities of PPARα/γ, compared to the positive control. Furthermore, PPARγ activation and adipogenic differentiation by troglitazone were significantly reduced by treatment with SN159, indicating that SN159 is a partial agonist of PPARs. SN159 was able to enhance fatty acid oxidation and glucose utilization through the dual activation of PPARα/γ. Taken together, these results suggest that SN159 is a novel PPAR partial agonist, which can be used as potential therapeutic agents against type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders by enhancing glucose and lipid metabolism.
E‐cadherin‐mediated contact of endothelial progenitor cells with mesenchymal stem cells through β‐catenin signaling
Authors: Xia Jie , Zhang Hongwei , Gao Xiaopeng , Guo Jun , Hou Jixue , Wang Xiaoyi , Wang Sibo , Yang Tao , Zhang Xuyong , Ge Quanhu , Wan Longfei , Cheng Wenzhe , Zheng Jinpo , Chen Xueling , Wu Xiangwei
Published: January 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are attached to each other in the bone marrow (BM) cavity and in in vitro cultures, and this adhesion has important physiological significance. We demonstrated that cell proliferation could be promoted when MSCs were co‐cultured with EPCs, which was beneficial to angiogenesis, tissue repair, and regeneration. The adhesion of MSCs and EPCs could promote the pluripotency of MSCs, particularly self‐renewal and multi‐differentiation to osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. This study focused on the mechanism of adhesion between EPCs and MSCs. The results showed that E‐cadherin (E‐cad) mediated the adhesion of MSCs and EPCs through the E‐cad/beta‐catenin signaling pathway. The E‐cad of EPCs occupied a dominant position during this process, which activated and up‐regulated the beta‐catenin (β‐catenin) of MSCs to improve cohesion and exert their biological function.