bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding comparative alternation iny-adjectives: What else might we need?
Authors: CHUA DEBORAH
Published: November 2017

This paper investigates the contribution of lexical spreads (or type counts) of English comparativemoreand -erconstructions to an understanding of comparative alternation in the$y$-adjectives, that is adjectives ending in an orthographic${<}\text{y}>$and an /i/ sound, e.g.lazy. Comparative$y$-adjective constructions from seven corpora of stage plays spanning from the 17th to the 20th century were analysed with mixed-effects modelling and correlations drawn between the comparatives of$y$-adjectives and those of other adjectives. The findings indicate that while morphological complexity in$y$-adjectives biases them towardsmore,moreoccurrences with$y$-adjectives may also be related to the lexical spread ofmorein disyllabic adjectives that are not$y$-ones. The findings suggest moreover that predictions of comparative forms based on the syntactic positioning of$y$-adjectives and the [±voiced] nature of their penultimate segments may make sense only with respect to the lexical spread ofmorein other English adjectives. To understand why$y$-adjectives seem divided between -erregularisation and adherence to the trend in English comparisons of amorebias, this paper proposes a need to supplement accounts of comparative alternation focused on the characteristics of$y$-adjectives with considerations related to the lexical spread of comparative constructions.
Hunting of mammal species in protected areas of the southern Bahian Atlantic Forest, Brazil
Authors: Castilho Luciana C. , De Vleeschouwer Kristel M. , Milner-Gulland E. J. , Schiavetti Alexandre
Published: November 2017

To investigate the practice of hunting by local people in the southern Bahia region of Brazil and provide information to support the implementation of the National Action Plan for Conservation of the Central Atlantic Forest Mammals, we conducted 351 interviews with residents of three protected areas and a buffer zone. Thirty-seven percent of respondents stated that they had captured an animal opportunistically, 16% hunted actively and 47% did not hunt. The major motivation for hunting was consumption but people also hunted for medicinal purposes, recreation and retaliation. The most hunted and consumed species were the paca Cuniculus paca, the nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus and the collared peccary Pecari tajacu; threatened species were rarely hunted. Opinions varied on whether wildlife was declining or increasing; declines were generally attributed to hunting. Our findings suggest there is illegal hunting for consumption in and around protected areas of the region. Management efforts should prioritize fairness in the expropriation process for people who must be relocated, and adopt an approach to wildlife management that involves residents living around the protected areas, and considers their needs.
The ambiguities of self-governance: Russian middle-aged middle-class women's reflections on ageing
Authors: DAVIDENKO MARIA
Published: November 2017

In a youth-centred culture, where ageing is associated with physical and mental decline, investment in a youthful appearance promises access to socially valuable resources. The need for regular care for the self, primarily through consumption, constitutes part of the narrative of successful or positive ageing. Due to its emphasis on self-reliance and efforts to remain healthy, productive and youthful, the discourse of successful ageing has been seen as intersecting with a neoliberal rationality, or a shift of responsibility for risks associated with ageing from the state to the individual. While some authors criticise an emphasis on individual effort to maintain personal wellbeing for a lack of attention to structural factors, others view such an approach favourably as a way of transcending state paternalism. In this paper, I engage with the discourse of ‘responsibilisation’ drawing on the interviews with middle-aged, middle-class women from Moscow about their experiences of ageing. I employ the theoretical framework of ‘governmentality’ to demonstrate how the interviewed women's attempts to make sense of what it meant to age ‘appropriately’ within their milieus informed both their awareness of a need to improve and reinvent the self constantly through consumption in the context of post-Soviet Russian society, and their questioning of and resistance to this pressure.
Post-Traumatic Symptomatology and Compulsions as Potential Mediators of the Relation Between Child Sexual Abuse and Auditory Verbal Hallucinations
Authors: McCarthy-Jones Simon
Published: November 2017

Background:Whilst evidence is mounting that childhood sexual abuse (CSA) can be a cause of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH), it is unclear what factors mediate this relation. Recent evidence suggests that post-traumatic symptomatology may mediate the CSA–AVH relation in clinical populations, although this hypothesis has not yet been tested in the general population. There is also reason to believe that obsessive ideation could mediate the CSA–AVH relation.Aims:To test for evidence to falsify the hypotheses that post-traumatic symptomatology, obsessions, compulsions, anxiety and depression mediate the relation between CSA and AVH in a general population sample.Method:Indirect effects of CSA on AVH via potential mediators were tested for, using a regression-based approach employing data from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (n= 5788).Results:After controlling for demographics, IQ and child physical abuse, it was found that CSA, IQ, post-traumatic symptomatology and compulsions predicted lifetime experience of AVH. Mediation analyses found significant indirect effects of CSA on AVH via post-traumatic symptomatology [odds ratio (OR): 1.11; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.00–1.29] and compulsions (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.28).Conclusions:These findings offer further support for the hypothesis that post-traumatic symptomatology is a mediator of the CSA–AVH relation. Although no evidence was found for obsessional thoughts as a mediating variable, a potential mediating role for compulsions is theoretically intriguing. This study's findings reiterate the need to ask about experiences of childhood adversity and post-traumatic symptomology in people with AVH, as well as the likely therapeutic importance of trauma-informed and trauma-based interventions for this population.
Close Receives 2017 Space Physics and Aeronomy Richard Carrington Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: November 2017

Sigrid Close will receive the 2017 Space Physics and Aeronomy Richard Carrington (SPARC) Education and Public Outreach Award at the 2017 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, to be held 11–15 December in New Orleans, La. The award is given “in recognition of significant and outstanding impact on students’ and the public’s understanding of our science through their education and/or outreach activities.”
Molecular analysis of axonal-intrinsic and glial-associated co-regulation of axon degeneration
Authors: Catenaccio Alejandra , Llavero Hurtado Maica , Diaz Paula , Lamont Douglas J , Wishart Thomas M , Court Felipe A
Published: November 2017

Wallerian degeneration is an active program tightly associated with axonal degeneration, required for axonal regeneration and functional recovery after nerve damage. Here we provide a functional molecular foundation for our undertstanding of the complex non-cell autonomous role of glial cells in the regulation of axonal degeneration. To shed light on the complexity of the molecular machinery governing axonal degeneration we employ a multi-model, unbiased, in vivo approach combining morphological assesment and quantitative proteomics with in silico-based higher order functional clustering to genetically uncouple the intrinsic and extrinsic processes governing Wallerian degeneration. Highlighting a pivotal role for glial cells in the early stages fragmenting the axon by a cytokinesis-like process and a cell autonomous stage of axonal disintegration associated to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Bortezomib-induced miRNAs direct epigenetic silencing of locus genes and trigger apoptosis in leukemia
Authors: Chu Yu-Yi , Ko Chiung-Yuan , Wang Shao-Ming , Lin Pin-I , Wang Han-Ying , Lin Wen-Chi , Wu Dong-Yu , Wang Lu-Hao , Wang Ju-Ming
Published: November 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been suggested to repress transcription via binding the 3′-untranslated regions of mRNAs. However, the involvement and details of miRNA-mediated epigenetic regulation, particularly in targeting genomic DNA and mediating epigenetic regulation, remain largely uninvestigated. In the present study, transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein delta (CEBPD) was responsive to the anticancer drug bortezomib, a clinical and highly selective drug for leukemia treatment, and contributed to bortezomib-induced cell death. Interestingly, following the identification of CEBPD-induced miRNAs, we found that miR-744, miR-3154 and miR-3162 could target CpG islands in the 5′-flanking region of the CEBPD gene. We previously demonstrated that the Yin Yang 1 (YY1)/polycomb group (PcG) protein/DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) complex is important for CCAAT/enhancer binding protein delta (CEBPD) gene inactivation; we further found that Argonaute 2 (Ago2) interacts with YY1 and binds to the CEBPD promoter. The miRNA/Ago2/YY1/PcG group protein/DNMT complex linked the inactivation of CEBPD and genes adjacent to its 5′-flanking region, including protein kinase DNA-activated catalytic polypeptide (PRKDC), minichromosome maintenance-deficient 4 (MCM4) and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 variant 2 (UBE2V2), upon bortezomib treatment. Moreover, we revealed that miRNA binding is necessary for YY1/PcG group protein/DNMT complex-mediated epigenetic gene silencing and is associated with bortezomib-induced methylation on genomic DNA. The present study successfully characterized the interactions of the miRNA/Ago2/YY1/PcG group protein/DNMT complex and provided new insights for miRNA-mediated epigenetic regulation in bortezomib-induced leukemic cell arrest and cell death.
Imaging spectroscopy of solar radio burst fine structures
Authors: Kontar E. P. , Yu S. , Kuznetsov A. A. , Emslie A. G. , Alcock B. , Jeffrey N. L. S. , Melnik V. N. , Bian N. H. , Subramanian P.
Published: November 2017

Solar radio observations provide a unique diagnostic of the outer solar atmosphere. However, the inhomogeneous turbulent corona strongly affects the propagation of the emitted radio waves, so decoupling the intrinsic properties of the emitting source from the effects of radio wave propagation has long been a major challenge in solar physics. Here we report quantitative spatial and frequency characterization of solar radio burst fine structures observed with the Low Frequency Array, an instrument with high-time resolution that also permits imaging at scales much shorter than those corresponding to radio wave propagation in the corona. The observations demonstrate that radio wave propagation effects, and not the properties of the intrinsic emission source, dominate the observed spatial characteristics of radio burst images. These results permit more accurate estimates of source brightness temperatures, and open opportunities for quantitative study of the mechanisms that create the turbulent coronal medium through which the emitted radiation propagates.
Active diffusion and advection in Drosophila oocytes result from the interplay of actin and microtubules
Authors: Drechsler Maik , Giavazzi Fabio , Cerbino Roberto , Palacios Isabel M.
Published: November 2017

Transport in cells occurs via a delicate interplay of passive and active processes, including diffusion, directed transport and advection. Despite progress in super-resolution microscopy, discriminating and quantifying these processes is a challenge, requiring tracking of rapidly moving, sub-diffraction objects in a crowded, noisy environment. Here we use differential dynamic microscopy with different contrast mechanisms to provide a thorough characterization of the dynamics in the Drosophila oocyte. We study the movement of vesicles and the elusive motion of a cytoplasmic F-actin mesh, a known regulator of cytoplasmic flows. We find that cytoplasmic motility constitutes a combination of directed motion and random diffusion. While advection is mainly attributed to microtubules, we find that active diffusion is driven by the actin cytoskeleton, although it is also enhanced by the flow. We also find that an important dynamic link exists between vesicles and cytoplasmic F-actin motion, as recently suggested in mouse oocytes.
Protruding organic surfaces triggered by in-plane electric fields
Authors: Liu Danqing , Tito Nicholas B. , Broer Dirk J.
Published: November 2017

Coatings with a dynamic surface topography are of interest for applications in haptics, soft robotics, cell growth in biology, hydro- and air dynamics and tribology. Here we propose a design for creating oscillating surface topographies in thin liquid crystal polymer network coatings under an electric field. By applying an alternating electric field, the coating surface deforms, and pre-designed local corrugations appear. The continuous AC electric field further initiates oscillations superimposed on the formed topographies. This effect is based on microscopic free volume creation. By exciting the liquid crystal network at its resonance frequency, maximum free volume is generated and large surface topographies are formed. Molecular simulation is used to examine this behaviour in microscopic detail as a function of oscillation frequency. Surface topography formation is fast and reversible. Excess free volume is energetically unfavourable, thus the surface topographies disappear within seconds once the electric field is removed.
Structural basis for tRNA-dependent cysteine biosynthesis
Authors: Chen Meirong , Kato Koji , Kubo Yume , Tanaka Yoshikazu , Liu Yuchen , Long Feng , Whitman William B. , Lill Pascal , Gatsogiannis Christos , Raunser Stefan , Shimizu Nobutaka , Shinoda Akira , Nakamura Akiyoshi , Tanaka Isao , Yao Min
Published: November 2017

Cysteine can be synthesized by tRNA-dependent mechanism using a two-step indirect pathway, where O-phosphoseryl-tRNA synthetase (SepRS) catalyzes the ligation of a mismatching O-phosphoserine (Sep) to tRNACys followed by the conversion of tRNA-bounded Sep into cysteine by Sep-tRNA:Cys-tRNA synthase (SepCysS). In ancestral methanogens, a third protein SepCysE forms a bridge between the two enzymes to create a ternary complex named the transsulfursome. By combination of X-ray crystallography, SAXS and EM, together with biochemical evidences, here we show that the three domains of SepCysE each bind SepRS, SepCysS, and tRNACys, respectively, which mediates the dynamic architecture of the transsulfursome and thus enables a global long-range channeling of tRNACys between SepRS and SepCysS distant active sites. This channeling mechanism could facilitate the consecutive reactions of the two-step indirect pathway of Cys-tRNACys synthesis (tRNA-dependent cysteine biosynthesis) to prevent challenge of translational fidelity, and may reflect the mechanism that cysteine was originally added into genetic code.
Transient cardiomyocyte fusion regulates cardiac development in zebrafish
Authors: Sawamiphak Suphansa , Kontarakis Zacharias , Filosa Alessandro , Reischauer Sven , Stainier Didier Y. R.
Published: November 2017

Cells can sacrifice their individuality by fusing, but the prevalence and significance of this process are poorly understood. To approach these questions, here we generate transgenic reporter lines in zebrafish to label and specifically ablate fused cells. In addition to skeletal muscle cells, the reporters label cardiomyocytes starting at an early developmental stage. Genetic mosaics generated by cell transplantation show cardiomyocytes expressing both donor- and host-derived transgenes, confirming the occurrence of fusion in larval hearts. These fusion events are transient and do not generate multinucleated cardiomyocytes. Functionally, cardiomyocyte fusion correlates with their mitotic activity during development as well as during regeneration in adult animals. By analyzing the cell fusion-compromised jam3b mutants, we propose a role for membrane fusion in cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiac function. Together, our findings uncover the previously unrecognized process of transient cardiomyocyte fusion and identify its potential role in cardiac development and function.
Polo-like kinase 1 coordinates biosynthesis during cell cycle progression by directly activating pentose phosphate pathway
Authors: Ma Xiaoyu , Wang Lin , Huang De , Li Yunyan , Yang Dongdong , Li Tingting , Li Fudong , Sun Linchong , Wei Haoran , He Kun , Yu Fazhi , Zhao Debiao , Hu Lan , Xing Songge , Liu Zhaoji , Li Kui , Guo Jing , Yang Zhenye , Pan Xin , Li Ailing , Shi Yunyu , Wang Junfeng , Gao Ping , Zhang Huafeng
Published: November 2017

Two hallmarks for cancer cells are the accelerated cell cycle progression as well as the altered metabolism, however, how these changes are coordinated to optimize the growth advantage for cancer cells are still poorly understood. Here we identify that Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), a key regulator for cell mitosis, plays a critical role for biosynthesis in cancer cells through activating pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). We find that Plk1 interacts with and directly phosphorylates glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). By activating G6PD through promoting the formation of its active dimer, Plk1 increases PPP flux and directs glucose to the synthesis of macromolecules. Importantly, we further demonstrate that Plk1-mediated activation of G6PD is critical for its role to promote cell cycle progression and cancer cell growth. Collectively, these findings establish a critical role for Plk1 in regulating biosynthesis in cancer cells, exemplifying how cell cycle progression and metabolic reprogramming are coordinated for cancer progression.
Crystal structures of the mitochondrial deacylase Sirtuin 4 reveal isoform-specific acyl recognition and regulation features
Authors: Pannek Martin , Simic Zeljko , Fuszard Matthew , Meleshin Marat , Rotili Dante , Mai Antonello , Schutkowski Mike , Steegborn Clemens
Published: November 2017

Sirtuins are evolutionary conserved NAD+-dependent protein lysine deacylases. The seven human isoforms, Sirt1-7, regulate metabolism and stress responses and are considered therapeutic targets for aging-related diseases. Sirt4 locates to mitochondria and regulates fatty acid metabolism and apoptosis. In contrast to the mitochondrial deacetylase Sirt3 and desuccinylase Sirt5, no prominent deacylase activity and structural information are available for Sirt4. Here we describe acyl substrates and crystal structures for Sirt4. The enzyme shows isoform-specific acyl selectivity, with significant activity against hydroxymethylglutarylation. Crystal structures of Sirt4 from Xenopus tropicalis reveal a particular acyl binding site with an additional access channel, rationalizing its activities. The structures further identify a conserved, isoform-specific Sirt4 loop that folds into the active site to potentially regulate catalysis. Using these results, we further establish efficient Sirt4 activity assays, an unusual Sirt4 regulation by NADH, and Sirt4 effects of pharmacological modulators.
The microbiota protects against respiratory infection via GM-CSF signaling
Authors: Brown Rebecca L. , Sequeira Richard P. , Clarke Thomas B.
Published: November 2017

The microbiota promotes resistance to respiratory infection, but the mechanistic basis for this is poorly defined. Here, we identify members of the microbiota that protect against respiratory infection by the major human pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae. We show that the microbiota enhances respiratory defenses via granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) signaling, which stimulates pathogen killing and clearance by alveolar macrophages through extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling. Increased pulmonary GM-CSF production in response to infection is primed by the microbiota through interleukin-17A. By combining models of commensal colonization in antibiotic-treated and germ-free mice, using cultured commensals from the Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria phyla, we found that potent Nod-like receptor-stimulating bacteria in the upper airway (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and intestinal microbiota (Lactobacillus reuteri, Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus crispatus and Clostridium orbiscindens) promote resistance to lung infection through Nod2 and GM-CSF. Our data reveal the identity, location, and properties of bacteria within the microbiota that regulate lung immunity, and delineate the host signaling axis they activate to protect against respiratory infection.
The controlling role of sodium and carbonate on the atmospheric corrosion rate of aluminum
Authors: Schaller Rebecca F. , Jove-Colon Carlos F. , Taylor Jason M. , Schindelholz Eric J.
Published: November 2017

Aluminum and aluminum alloys are widely used in many outdoor applications due to their inherent corrosion resistance attributed to the formation of a protective oxide layer. While corrosion rates are generally considered low for aluminum in many atmospheric environments, understanding of the corrosion performance over time is necessary to predict the cost, safety, and esthetics of these materials. The vast majority of the knowledgebase of atmospheric aluminum corrosion is built on environment–response relationships; often based on statistical correlation of corrosion rate data with atmospheric environmental conditions. However, there is still a limited mechanistic understanding of corrosion processes associated with this linkage. This lack in knowledge prevents interpretation and limits the extrapolation of these statistical datasets for prediction purposes. Here, the mechanistic dependence of aluminum corrosion rate on salt loading is explored through complimentary experimental and theoretical analysis relating corrosion rate to electrolyte chemistry, volume and corrosion products. From these results a reaction pathway is proposed for the atmospheric corrosion of aluminum that accounts for the governing effects of CO2 and salt loading on corrosion rate. This reaction pathway provides a new perspective that highlights the importance of the formation and growth of dawsonite (NaAlCO3(OH)2), and the subsequent gettering of sodium from the electrolyte leading to the stifling of corrosion kinetics. This study highlights the importance of accounting for the dynamic physical and chemical state of the electrolyte during corrosion in process models and measurement techniques to better understand and predict atmospheric corrosion behavior.
Alteration of the intestinal microbiome characterizes preclinical inflammatory arthritis in mice and its modulation attenuates established arthritis
Authors: Rogier Rebecca , Evans-Marin Heather , Manasson Julia , van der Kraan Peter M. , Walgreen Birgitte , Helsen Monique M. , van den Bersselaar Liduine A. , van de Loo Fons A. , van Lent Peter L. , Abramson Steven B. , van den Berg Wim B. , Koenders Marije I. , Scher Jose U. , Abdollahi-Roodsaz Shahla
Published: November 2017

Perturbations of the intestinal microbiome have been observed in patients with new-onset and chronic autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. However, it is currently unknown whether these alterations precede the development of arthritis or are rather a consequence of disease. Modulation of intestinal microbiota by oral antibiotics or germ-free condition can prevent arthritis in mice. Yet, the therapeutic potential of modulation of the microbiota after the onset of arthritis is not well characterized. We here show that the intestinal microbial community undergoes marked changes in the preclinical phase of collagen induced arthritis (CIA). The abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes, specifically families S24-7 and Bacteroidaceae was reduced, whereas Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, such as Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Desulfovibrinocaceae, were expanded during the immune-priming phase of arthritis. In addition, we found that the abundance of lamina propria Th17, but not Th1, cells is highly correlated with the severity of arthritis. Elimination of the intestinal microbiota during established arthritis specifically reduced intestinal Th17 cells and attenuated arthritis. These effects were associated with reduced serum amyloid A expression in ileum and synovial tissue. Our observations suggest that intestinal microbiota perturbations precede arthritis, and that modulation of the intestinal microbiota after the onset of arthritis may offer therapeutic opportunities.
Mode of delivery and child and adolescent psychological well-being: Evidence from Hong Kong’s “Children of 1997” birth cohort
Authors: Leung Cherry Y. , Leung Gabriel M. , Schooling C. Mary
Published: November 2017

Mode of delivery (vaginal or cesarean section) is thought to affect gut microbiota, which in turn may affect psychological well-being. As such, mode of delivery is potentially a modifiable factor for psychological well-being. Here we examined the association of mode of delivery with child and adolescent psychological well-being. We used multivariable linear regression in a population-representative Hong Kong Chinese birth cohort, “Children of 1997,” to examine the adjusted associations of mode of delivery with behavioral problems assessed from parent-reported Rutter score at ~7 (n = 6294) and ~11 years (n = 5598), self-esteem assessed from self-reported Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventory score at ~11 years (n = 6937) and depressive symptoms assessed from self-reported Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score at ~13 years (n = 5797). Cesarean Section (CS) was associated with children born in private hospitals, boys, and firstborns, higher maternal body mass index, higher maternal age, preeclampsia, higher socioeconomic position (SEP) and maternal birth in Hong Kong. CS was unrelated to behavior, self-esteem and depressive symptoms adjusted for infant characteristics (sex, gestational age, birthweight, parity and breast feeding), maternal characteristics (mother’s age and place of birth) and SEP. In a developed non-Western setting, mode of delivery was not clearly associated with childhood or early adolescent psychological well-being.
Comprehensive genomic analysis of a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Pantoea agglomerans strain P5
Authors: Shariati J. Vahid , Malboobi Mohammad Ali , Tabrizi Zeinab , Tavakol Elahe , Owlia Parviz , Safari Maryam
Published: November 2017

In this study, we provide a comparative genomic analysis of Pantoea agglomerans strain P5 and 10 closely related strains based on phylogenetic analyses. A next-generation shotgun strategy was implemented using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 technology followed by core- and pan-genome analysis. The genome of P. agglomerans strain P5 contains an assembly size of 5082485 bp with 55.4% G + C content. P. agglomerans consists of 2981 core and 3159 accessory genes for Coding DNA Sequences (CDSs) based on the pan-genome analysis. Strain P5 can be grouped closely with strains PG734 and 299 R using pan and core genes, respectively. All the predicted and annotated gene sequences were allocated to KEGG pathways. Accordingly,  genes involved in plant growth-promoting (PGP) ability, including phosphate solubilization, IAA and siderophore production, acetoin and 2,3-butanediol synthesis and bacterial secretion, were assigned. This study provides an in-depth view of the PGP characteristics of strain P5, highlighting its potential use in agriculture as a biofertilizer.
Sodium channel NaV1.3 is important for enterochromaffin cell excitability and serotonin release
Authors: Strege Peter R. , Knutson Kaitlyn , Eggers Samuel J. , Li Joyce H. , Wang Fan , Linden David , Szurszewski Joseph H. , Milescu Lorin , Leiter Andrew B. , Farrugia Gianrico , Beyder Arthur
Published: November 2017

In the gastrointestinal (GI) epithelium, enterochromaffin (EC) cells are enteroendocrine cells responsible for producing >90% of the body’s serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). However, the molecular mechanisms of EC cell function are poorly understood. Here, we found that EC cells in mouse primary cultures fired spontaneous bursts of action potentials. We examined the repertoire of voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV) in fluorescence-sorted mouse EC cells and found that Scn3a was highly expressed. Scn3a-encoded NaV1.3 was specifically and densely expressed at the basal side of both human and mouse EC cells. Using electrophysiology, we found that EC cells expressed robust NaV1.3 currents, as determined by their biophysical and pharmacologic properties. NaV1.3 was not only critical for generating action potentials in EC cells, but it was also important for regulating 5-HT release by these cells. Therefore, EC cells use Scn3a-encoded voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.3 for electrical excitability and 5-HT release. NaV1.3-dependent electrical excitability and its contribution to 5-HT release is a novel mechanism of EC cell function.
Gallic Acid Reduces Blood Pressure and Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Cardiac Hypertrophy in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Jin Li , Piao Zhe Hao , Sun Simei , Liu Bin , Kim Gwi Ran , Seok Young Mi , Lin Ming Quan , Ryu Yuhee , Choi Sin Young , Kee Hae Jin , Jeong Myung Ho
Published: November 2017

Gallic acid (GA) has been reported to have beneficial effects on cancer, vascular calcification, and diabetes-induced myocardial dysfunction. We hypothesized that GA controls hypertension via oxidative stress response regulation in an animal model for essential hypertension. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were administered GA for 16 weeks. GA treatment lowered elevated systolic blood pressure in SHRs through the inhibition of vascular contractility and components of the renin-angiotensin II system. In addition, GA administration reduced aortic wall thickness and body weight in SHRs. In SHRs, GA attenuated left ventricular hypertrophy and reduced the expression of cardiac-specific transcription factors. NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) and GATA4 mRNA expression was induced in SHR hearts and angiotensin II-treated H9c2 cells; this expression was downregulated by GA treatment. Nox2 promoter activity was increased by the synergistic action of GATA4 and Nkx2-5. GA seems to regulate oxidative stress by inhibiting the DNA binding activity of GATA4 in the rat Nox2 promoter. GA reduced the GATA4-induced Nox activity in SHRs and angiotensin II-treated H9c2 cells. GA administration reduced the elevation of malondialdehyde levels in heart tissue obtained from SHRs. These findings suggest that GA is a potential therapeutic agent for treating cardiac hypertrophy and oxidative stress in SHRs.
Phosphorylation Dynamics Dominate the Regulated Proteome during Early Xenopus Development
Authors: Peuchen Elizabeth H. , Cox Olivia F. , Sun Liangliang , Hebert Alex S. , Coon Joshua J. , Champion Matthew M. , Dovichi Norman J. , Huber Paul W.
Published: November 2017

The earliest stages of animal development are largely controlled by changes in protein phosphorylation mediated by signaling pathways and cyclin-dependent kinases. In order to decipher these complex networks and to discover new aspects of regulation by this post-translational modification, we undertook an analysis of the X. laevis phosphoproteome at seven developmental stages beginning with stage VI oocytes and ending with two-cell embryos. Concurrent measurement of the proteome and phosphoproteome enabled measurement of phosphosite occupancy as a function of developmental stage. We observed little change in protein expression levels during this period. We detected the expected phosphorylation of MAP kinases, translational regulatory proteins, and subunits of APC/C that validate the accuracy of our measurements. We find that more than half the identified proteins possess multiple sites of phosphorylation that are often clustered, where kinases work together in a hierarchical manner to create stretches of phosphorylated residues, which may be a means to amplify signals or stabilize a particular protein conformation. Conversely, other proteins have opposing sites of phosphorylation that seemingly reflect distinct changes in activity during this developmental timeline.
EGFR conjunct FSCN1 as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Wang Chao-Qun , Li Yang , Huang Bi-Fei , Zhao Yong-Ming , Yuan Hui , Guo Dongfang , Su Chen-Ming , Hu Gui-Nv , Wang Qian , Long Tengyun , Wang Yan , Tang Chih-Hsin , Li Xiaoni
Published: November 2017

Emerging evidence indicates that Fascin-1 (FSCN1) may possess a causal role in the development of several types of cancers and serves as a novel biomarker of aggressiveness in certain carcinomas. However, the regulatory mechanism of FSCN1 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell invasion and migration is still largely unknown. In our study, we observed that the FSCN1 expression rates were significantly higher in invasive ductal carcinoma, compared with both usual ductal hyperplasia and ductal carcinoma in situ. FSCN1 expression was significantly higher in cases of TNBC compared with the non-TNBC subtype. Overexpression of FSCN1 promoted TNBC cell migration and invasion. Epidermal growth factor induced the expression of FSCN1 through activation of MAPK, which subsequently promoted cell migration and invasion. A significant decrease in FSCN1 expression following the co-treatment of FSCN1 siRNA and Gefitinib, compared with the separate treatment of FSCN1 siRNA or Gefitinib. Furthermore, we found that there was a significant association between FSCN1 expression and poor relapse-free survival and overall survival. Therefore, we suggest that co-targeting epidermal growth factor receptor and FSCN1 dual biomarker may be used as a novel therapeutic strategy for TNBC.
A one-step rapid screening test ofListeria monocytogenesin food samples using a real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification turbidity assay
Authors: Wachiralurpan Sirirat , Sriyapai Thayat , Areekit Supatra , Sriyapai Pichapak , Thongphueak Dueantem , Santiwatanakul Somchai , Chansiri Kosum
Published: November 2017

A rapid and specific,hly-based, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was applied for the detection ofListeria monocytogenesin food samples using LAMP-turbidity.
Iron(iii) complexes of 2-methyl-6-(pyrimidin-2-yl-hydrazonomethyl)-phenol as spin-crossover molecular materials
Authors: Yuan Juan , Liu Mei-Jiao , Liu Cai-Ming , Kou Hui-Zhong
Published: November 2017

Four new mononuclear Fe(iii) complexes are obtained by using 2-methyl-6-(pyrimidin-2-yl-hydrazonomethyl)-phenol. The perchlorate complex displays spin crossover with a hysteresis of 32 K, while the neutral complex exhibits a gradual incomplete spin transition.
Imidazole-stabilized, electron-deficient boron cations
Authors: Sato Kaoko , Tan Tristan Tsai Yuan , Schäfers Felix , Hahn F. Ekkehardt , Stephan Douglas W.
Published: November 2017

Highly Lewis acidic borenium cations were prepared and are shown to activate H2 and effect 1,1-carborations of alkynes.
Structure characterization of a novel polysaccharide fromHericium erinaceusfruiting bodies and its immunomodulatory activities
Authors: Wu Fangfang , Zhou Chunhui , Zhou Dandan , Ou Shiyi , Zhang Xiaoai , Huang Huihua
Published: November 2017

Hericium erinaceuspolysaccharide (HEP-S) can significantly stimulate the immunomodulatory activity on murine macrophages and spleen lymphocytes.
Probing impaired neurogenesis in human brain organoids exposed to alcohol
Authors: Zhu Yujuan , Wang Li , Yin Fangchao , Yu Yue , Wang Yaqing , Shepard Matthew J. , Zhuang Zhengping , Qin Jianhua
Published: November 2017

The fetal brain is highly vulnerable to ethanol exposure, which can trigger various long-term neuronal disabilities and cognitive dysfunctions.
Linking iron-deficiency with allergy: role of molecular allergens and the microbiome
Authors: Roth-Walter Franziska , Pacios Luis F. , Bianchini Rodolfo , Jensen-Jarolim Erika
Published: November 2017

Atopic individuals are often iron-deficient and tend to develop a Th2 dominant immune response, resulting in hyperresponsiveness to harmless antigens, termed allergens.
Correction: Formation of β-(1,3–1,6)-d-glucan-complexed [70]fullerene and its photodynamic activity towards macrophages
Authors: Ikeda Atsushi , Akiyama Motofusa , Sugikawa Kouta , Koumoto Kazuya , Kagoshima Yuta , Li Jiawei , Suzuki Toshio , Nagasaki Takeshi
Published: November 2017

Correction for ‘Formation of β-(1,3–1,6)-d-glucan-complexed [70]fullerene and its photodynamic activity towards macrophages’ by Atsushi Ikeda et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2017, 15, 1990–1997.
Recent development of functional aliphatic polycarbonates for the construction of amphiphilic polymers
Authors: Dai Yu , Zhang Xiaojin
Published: November 2017

Functional aliphatic polycarbonates in the construction of amphiphilic polymers are summarized in seven categories (hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or/and functional unit).
Identification of the functional states of human vitamin K epoxide reductase from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Chatron N. , Chalmond B. , Trouvé A. , Benoît E. , Caruel H. , Lattard V. , Tchertanov L.
Published: November 2017

The functionally-related states of hVKORC1 predicted from MD conformations were assigned by probing their affinity to vitamin K and validated through analysis of its binding energy with VKAs.
Negligible cation effect on the vibrational relaxation dynamics of water molecules in NaClO4 and LiClO4 aqueous electrolyte solutions
Authors: Wei Qianshun , Zhou Dexia , Bian Hongtao
Published: November 2017

Negligible cation effects on the vibrational relaxation dynamics of water molecules in NaClO4 and LiClO4 aqueous solutions.
Correction: Optimizing supercapacitor electrode density: achieving the energy of organic electrolytes with the power of aqueous electrolytes
Authors: Merrill M. D. , Montalvo E. , Campbell P. G. , Wang Y. M. , Stadermann M. , Baumann T. F. , Biener J. , Worsley M. A.
Published: November 2017

Correction for ‘Optimizing supercapacitor electrode density: achieving the energy of organic electrolytes with the power of aqueous electrolytes’ by M. D. Merrill et al., RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 42942–42946.
Cage-templated synthesis of highly stable palladium nanoparticles and their catalytic activities in Suzuki–Miyaura coupling
Authors: Qiu Li , McCaffrey Ryan , Jin Yinghua , Gong Yu , Hu Yiming , Sun Hongliang , Park Wounjhang , Zhang Wei
Published: November 2017

Cage-templated synthesis of narrowly distributed palladium nanoparticles (1.8 ± 0.2 nm) and their high catalytic activity in Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions are reported.
Epimerization-free access to C-terminal cysteine peptide acids, carboxamides, secondary amides, and estersviacomplimentary strategies
Authors: Arbour Christine A. , Kondasinghe Thilini D. , Saraha Hasina Y. , Vorlicek Teanna L. , Stockdill Jennifer L.
Published: November 2017

We present a convenient method for the diversification of peptides bearing cysteine at the C-terminus that proceeds to form a variety of carboxylic acid, carboxamide, 2° amide, and ester terminated peptides without any detectable epimerization of the α-stereocenter.
Challenges and opportunities for alkane functionalisation using molecular catalysts
Authors: Tang Xinxin , Jia Xiangqing , Huang Zheng
Published: November 2017

The conversion of vast low-value saturated hydrocarbons into valuable chemicals is of great interest.
The Role of Phonological Working Memory and Environmental Factors in Lexical Development in Italian-Speaking Late Talkers: A One-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Marini Andrea , Ruffino Milena , Sali Maria Enrica , Molteni Massimo
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This follow-up study assessed (a) the influence of phonological working memory (pWM), home literacy environment, and a family history of linguistic impairments in late talkers (LTs); (b) the diagnostic accuracy of a task of nonword repetition (NWR) in identifying LTs; and (c) the persistence of lexical weaknesses after 10 months.

Method

Two hundred ninety-three children were assessed at approximately 32 (t1) and 41 (t2) months. At t1, they were administered the Italian adaptation of the Language Development Survey, an NWR task (used to assess pWM), and questionnaires assessing home literacy environment and family history of language impairments. Thirty-three LTs were identified. The linguistic skills of the participants were evaluated at t2 by administering tasks assessing Articulation, Naming, Semantic Fluency, and Lexical Comprehension.

Results

At t2, LTs performed more poorly as compared with age-matched typically developing peers in articulatory and naming skills, had reduced lexical comprehension abilities, and had limited lexical knowledge. Their performance on the NWR task at t1 correlated with the extension of their vocabularies at t2 (as estimated with a Semantic Fluency task).

Conclusions

The Language Development Survey recently adapted to Italian is sensitive to LTs. Former LTs still have a mild lexical delay at approximately 40 months. As an indirect measure of pWM, the task of NWR is an early indicator of future lexical deficits.
Graph‐based spatial–spectral feature learning for hyperspectral image classification
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad , Khan Adil Mehmood , Hussain Rasheed
Published: November 2017

Classifying hyperspectral data within high dimensionality is a challenging task. To cope with this issue, this study implements a semi‐supervised multi‐kernel class consistency regulariser graph‐based spatial–spectral feature learning framework. For feature learning process, establishing the neighbouring relationship between the distinct samples from the high‐dimensional space is the key to a favourable outcome for classification. The proposed method implements two kernels and a class consistency regulariser. The first kernel constructs simple edges where every single vertex represents one particular sample and the edge weight encodes the initial similarity between distinct samples. Later the obtained relation is fed into the second kernel to obtain the final features for classification where the semi‐supervised learning is conducted to estimate the grouping relations among different samples according to their similarity, class, and spatial information. To validate the performance of proposed framework, the authors conduct several experiments on three publically available hyperspectral datasets. The proposed work equates favourably with state‐of‐the‐art works with an overall classification accuracy of 98.54, 97.83, and 98.38% for Pavia University, Salinas‐A, and Indian Pines datasets, respectively.
Effects of predictive horizon on network performance under short‐term predictive information
Authors: Phusittrakool Apirath , Jeenanunta Chawalit , Prathombutr Passakon
Published: November 2017

Providing predictive information is expected to be an effective way in reducing congestion because travellers can have information of future traffic conditions and plan their travel ahead of time. However, due to the complex and computational expense of traffic flow forecasting, only short horizon future travel times can be generated and provided, which seems not sufficient for travellers to accurately plan their travel along an entire path. In this study, the authors have developed a simulation model to investigate the impact that limited time‐span predictions have on the effectiveness of the predictive information. The results indicate that even though the predicted horizon is very short, the predictive information can still perform better than the current prevailing information. Sensitivity analysis of market penetration rates and prediction horizons is also discussed. This study is expected to be guidance for practical implementation and operation of short‐term predictive information scenarios.
Target recognition for coastal surveillance based on radar images and generalised Bayesian inference
Authors: Ma Feng , Chen Yu‐wang , Yan Xin‐ping , Chu Xiu‐min , Wang Jin
Published: November 2017

For coastal surveillance, this study proposes a novel approach to identify moving vessels from radar images with the use of a generalised Bayesian inference technique, namely the evidential reasoning (ER) rule. First of all, the likelihood information about radar blips is obtained in terms of the velocity, direction, and shape attributes of the verified samples. Then, it is transformed to be multiple pieces of evidence, which are formulated as generalised belief distributions representing the probabilistic relationships between the blip's states of authenticity and the values of its attributes. Subsequently, the ER rule is used to combine these pieces of evidence, taking into account their corresponding reliabilities and weights. Furthermore, based on different objectives and verified samples, weight coefficients can be trained with a non‐linear optimisation model. Finally, two field tests of identifying moving vessels from radar images have been conducted to validate the effectiveness and flexibility of the proposed approach.
Examination of the effectiveness of FF MARS in a CATR through electromagnetic simulation
Authors: Gregson Stuart Fraser , Parini Clive G. , Newell Allen C.
Published: November 2017

For more than a decade now, a measurement and post‐processing technique involving modal filtering, named mathematical absorber reflection suppression (MARS), has been used very successfully to identify and subsequently extract range reflections in spherical, cylindrical and planar near‐field antenna test systems and far‐field (FF) and compact antenna test ranges (CATRs). Much of the early work concentrated on verification through experimental testing; however, some additional validation was performed using computational electromagnetic (EM) simulations. These considered first FF and subsequently near‐field cases. The recent development of an accurate, flexible EM simulation tool that enables the simulation of ‘measured’ FF pattern data as obtained from using a CATR has, for the first time, permitted the careful verification of the FF‐MARS technique for a specified antenna under test (AUT) and CATR combination. This study presents simulated ‘measured’ FF antenna pattern data in the presence of a large scatterer and then verifies the successful extraction of the scattering artefacts. In addition to considering range reflections, feed spill‐over is also treated. Results are presented and discussed.
Robust adaptive Lyapunov‐based control of hepatitis B infection
Authors: Aghajanzadeh Omid , Sharifi Mojtaba , Tashakori Shabnam , Zohoor Hassan
Published: November 2017

A new robust adaptive controller is developed for the control of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection inside the body. The non‐linear HBV model has three state variables: uninfected cells, infected cells and free viruses. A control law is designed for the antiviral therapy such that the volume of infected cells and the volume of free viruses are decreased to their desired values which are zero. One control input represents the efficiency of drug therapy in inhibiting viral production and the other control input represents the efficiency of drug therapy in blocking new infection. The proposed controller ensures the stability and robust performance in the presence of parametric and non‐parametric uncertainties (and/or bounded disturbances). The global stability and tracking convergence of the process are investigated by employing the Lyapunov theorem. The performance of the proposed controller is evaluated using simulations by considering different levels of uncertainties. Based on the obtained results, the proposed strategy can achieve its desired objectives with different cases of uncertainties.