bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Der aktuelle Kenntnisstand über Erkrankungsrisiken durch psychische Arbeitsbelastungen
Authors: Rau Renate , Buyken Dajana
Published: June 2015

Gefährdungsbeurteilungen psychischer Belastungen erfordern Kenntnisse darüber, welche Arbeitsbelastungen potentiell gesundheitsgefährdend sind. Daher erfolgte eine systematische Suche (PubMed, PsycInfo, PSYNDEX, Web of Science) nach Metaanalysen und systematischen Reviews zum Zusammenhang von Arbeitsbelastungen und Erkrankungen. Suchkriterien für Belastungen waren: work intensity, job demand, job control, job strain, iso-strain, cognitive demands, effort, reward, effort/reward-imbalance, completeness, variety, repetitiveness, emotional labour, working hours, overtime, shift work, social stressors, social support, role stress, bullying and job insecurity; für Erkrankungen: Depression, Angst, Panik, kardiovaskuläre Erkrankungen, Typ-2-Diabetes. Die Auswertung von 54 Publikationen ergab, dass hohe Arbeitsintensität, geringer Handlungsspielraum, Job Strain, Effort-Reward-Imbalance, Überstunden, lange Arbeitszeiten, bestimmte Formen von Schichtarbeit, geringe soziale Unterstützung, Rollenstress, Bullying und Arbeitsplatzunsicherheit als potentiell gesundheitsgefährdend einzuschätzen und daher (neben hier nicht untersuchten Arbeitsbelastungen) bei Gefährdungsbeurteilungen berücksichtigt werden sollten.
Barriers to Physical Activity in Adolescents
Authors: Langguth Nadine , Könen Tanja , Matulis Simone , Steil Regina , Gawrilow Caterina , Stadler Gertraud
Published: June 2015

During adolescence, physical activity (PA) decreases with potentially serious, long-term consequences for physical and mental health. Although barriers have been identified as an important PA correlate in adults, research on adolescents’ PA barriers is lacking. Thus reliable, valid scales to measure adolescents’ PA barriers are needed. We present two studies describing a broad range of PA barriers relevant to adolescents with a multidimensional approach. In Study 1, 124 adolescents (age range = 12 – 24 years) reported their most important PA barriers. Two independent coders categorized those barriers. The most frequent PA barriers were incorporated in a multidimensional questionnaire. In Study 2, 598 adolescents (age range = 13 – 21 years) completed this questionnaire and reported their current PA, intention, self-efficacy, and negative outcome expectations. Seven PA barrier dimensions (leisure activities, lack of motivation, screen-based sedentary behavior, depressed mood, physical health, school workload, and preconditions) were confirmed in factor analyses. A multidimensional approach to measuring PA barriers in adolescents is reliable and valid. The current studies provide the basis for developing individually tailored interventions to increase PA in adolescents.
Subjektive Erschöpfung bei stressbezogenen Gesundheitsstörungen
Authors: Waeldin Sandra , Vogt Dominic , Hellhammer Dirk
Published: June 2015

Erschöpfung kennzeichnet zahlreiche psychische Störungen. Wir haben geprüft, ob die subjektive Erschöpfungsqualität ein verlässlicher Indikator für stressbezogene Gesundheitsstörungen und den daraus resultierenden direkten, indirekten und intangiblen Gesundheitskosten ist. Zur Anwendung kam eine Erschöpfungsskala (Neuropattern-Questionnaire, NPQ-S), deren Cut-off-Werte und Reliabilität anhand einer bevölkerungsrepräsentativen Stichprobe (N = 998) ermittelt wurden. Die Validität wurde bei ambulanten Patienten (N = 455) über Angaben zu psychischen Erkrankungen, gesundheitsbezogenen Kosten und strukturierten Anamnesen sowie einer berufshomogene Stichprobe mit stressbezogenen Beschwerden (N = 69) über Angaben zu Burnout und Gratifikationskrisen untersucht. Die Reliabilität und Validität der Erschöpfungsqualität konnten als gut bis sehr gut eingestuft werden. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass ein erhöhtes Ausmaß an Erschöpfung mit erhöhter Stressbelastung, einer erhöhten Chance für verschiedene psychische Erkrankungen sowie erhöhten Kosten (reduziertes Wohlbefinden, häufigere Therapeuten- und Arztbesuche, erhöhter Medikamentenkonsum, mehr Arbeitsunfähigkeitstage) einhergeht. Die Erschöpfungsqualität zeigt sich als störungsübergreifender Indikator und kann als ökonomisches Indikations- und Evaluationsmaß für gesundheitsförderliche Maßnahmen dienen.
Acute and Chronic Risk Preceding Suicidal Crises Among Middle-Aged Men Without Known Mental Health and/or Substance Abuse Problems
Authors: Schiff Lara B. , Holland Kristin M. , Stone Deborah M. , Logan J. , Marshall Khiya J. , Martell Brandi , Bartholow Brad
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Background: Suicides among men aged 35–64 years increased by 27% between 1999 and 2013, yet little research exists to examine the nature of the suicide risk within this population. Many men do not seek help if they have mental health problems and suicides may occur in reaction to stressful circumstances. Aims: We examined the precipitating circumstances of 600 suicides without known mental health or substance abuse (MH/SA) problems and with a recent crisis. Whether these suicides occurred within the context of an acute crisis only or in the context of chronic circumstances was observed. Method: Using data from the National Violent Death Reporting System and employing mixed-methods analysis, we examined the circumstances and context of a census of middle-aged male suicides (n = 600) in seven states between 2005 and 2010. Results: Precipitating circumstances among this group involved intimate partner problems (IPP; 58.3%), criminal/legal problems (50.7%), job/financial problems (22.5%), and health problems (13.5%). Men with IPP and criminal/legal issues were more likely than men with health and/or job/financial issues to experience suicide in the context of an acute crisis only. Conclusion: Suicides occurring in reaction to an acute crisis only or in the context of acute and chronic circumstances lend themselves to opportunities for intervention. Further implications are discussed.
Personality Correlates of the Self-Assessed Abilities to Tell and Detect Lies, Tell Truths, and Believe Others
Authors: Elaad Eitan , Reizer Abira
Published: June 2015

The contribution of personality dimensions (the Big Five) to self-assessed communication abilities to tell and detect lies, tell truths, and believe others was examined. One hundred seventy-four undergraduate students completed the Big Five personality inventory (BFI) and evaluated their relative lie-telling, truth-telling, lie-detection and their ability to believe other peoples’ truths. Results indicated that Extraversion predicted enhanced lie-telling, truth-telling, and lie-detection abilities. Openness to experience predicted higher ratings of lie-telling and lie-detecting abilities, indicating that for curious people with intellectual skills and attentiveness to inner feelings, lie-related abilities are important. Agreeableness predicted high ratings of believing skills and low ratings of the remaining three skills, indicating that well-tempered people tend to believe others. Conscientiousness and Neuroticism were negatively associated with telling lies persuasively. This was explained by the need of conscientious people to be honest and by the low self-confidence and negative emotions of people who scored high on Neuroticism. Implications of the present results were discussed.
Floods Fail in War, Win as Weapon Against Sea Level Rise
Authors: Reed Christina
Published: June 2015

A historical look at flooding used as a war strategy in the Netherlands found that the tactic often failed but, in the long run, has helped to protect the land against future floods and sea level rise.
Dexamethasone exerts profound immunologic interference on treatment efficacy for recurrent glioblastoma
Authors: Wong E T , Lok E , Gautam S , Swanson K D
Published: June 2015

Background:

Patients with recurrent glioblastoma have a poor outcome. Data from the phase III registration trial comparing tumour-treating alternating electric fields (TTFields) vs chemotherapy provided a unique opportunity to study dexamethasone effects on patient outcome unencumbered by the confounding immune and myeloablative side effects of chemotherapy.

Methods:

Using an unsupervised binary partitioning algorithm, we segregated both cohorts of the trial based on the dexamethasone dose that yielded the greatest statistical difference in overall survival (OS). The results were validated in a separate cohort treated in a single institution with TTFields and their T lymphocytes were correlated with OS.

Results:

Patients who used dexamethasone doses >4.1 mg per day had a significant reduction in OS when compared with those who used ⩽4.1 mg per day, 4.8 vs 11.0 months respectively (χ
2=34.6, P<0.0001) in the TTField-treated cohort and 6.0 vs 8.9 months respectively (χ
2=10.0, P<0.0015) in the chemotherapy-treated cohort. In a single institution validation cohort treated with TTFields, the median OS of patients who used dexamethasone >4.1 mg per day was 3.2 months compared with those who used ⩽4.1 mg per day was 8.7 months (χ
2=11.1, P=0.0009). There was a significant correlation between OS and T-lymphocyte counts.

Conclusions:

Dexamethasone exerted profound effects on both TTFields and chemotherapy efficacy resulting in lower patient OS. Therefore, global immunosuppression by dexamethasone likely interferes with immune functions that are necessary for the treatment of glioblastoma.
Stone-dwelling actinobacteria Blastococcus saxobsidens, Modestobacter marinus and Geodermatophilus obscurus proteogenomes
Authors: Sghaier Haïtham , Hezbri Karima , Ghodhbane-Gtari Faten , Pujic Petar , Sen Arnab , Daffonchio Daniele , Boudabous Abdellatif , Tisa Louis S , Klenk Hans-Peter , Armengaud Jean , Normand Philippe , Gtari Maher
Published: June 2015

The Geodermatophilaceae are unique model systems to study the ability to thrive on or within stones and their proteogenomes (referring to the whole protein arsenal encoded by the genome) could provide important insight into their adaptation mechanisms. Here we report the detailed comparative genome analysis of Blastococcus saxobsidens (Bs), Modestobacter marinus (Mm) and Geodermatophilus obscurus (Go) isolated respectively from the interior and the surface of calcarenite stones and from desert sandy soils. The genome-scale analysis of Bs, Mm and Go illustrates how adaptation to these niches can be achieved through various strategies including ‘molecular tinkering/opportunism’ as shown by the high proportion of lost, duplicated or horizontally transferred genes and ORFans. Using high-throughput discovery proteomics, the three proteomes under unstressed conditions were analyzed, highlighting the most abundant biomarkers and the main protein factors. Proteomic data corroborated previously demonstrated stone-related ecological distribution. For instance, these data showed starvation-inducible, biofilm-related and DNA-protection proteins as signatures of the microbes associated with the interior, surface and outside of stones, respectively.
Viral assemblage composition in Yellowstone acidic hot springs assessed by network analysis
Authors: Bolduc Benjamin , Wirth Jennifer F , Mazurie Aurélien , Young Mark J
Published: June 2015

Understanding of viral assemblage structure in natural environments remains a daunting task. Total viral assemblage sequencing (for example, viral metagenomics) provides a tractable approach. However, even with the availability of next-generation sequencing technology it is usually only possible to obtain a fragmented view of viral assemblages in natural ecosystems. In this study, we applied a network-based approach in combination with viral metagenomics to investigate viral assemblage structure in the high temperature, acidic hot springs of Yellowstone National Park, USA. Our results show that this approach can identify distinct viral groups and provide insights into the viral assemblage structure. We identified 110 viral groups in the hot springs environment, with each viral group likely representing a viral family at the sub-family taxonomic level. Most of these viral groups are previously unknown DNA viruses likely infecting archaeal hosts. Overall, this study demonstrates the utility of combining viral assemblage sequencing approaches with network analysis to gain insights into viral assemblage structure in natural ecosystems.
Optically controlled elastic microcavities
Authors: Flatae Assegid Mengistu , Burresi Matteo , Zeng Hao , Nocentini Sara , Wiegele Sarah , Parmeggiani Camilla , Kalt Heinz , Wiersma Diederik
Published: June 2015

Whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonators made from dielectrics like glass or polymers have outstanding optical properties like huge cavity quality (Q) factors which can be achieved on scales compatible with on-chip integration. However, tunability of these resonances is typically difficult to achieve or not suitable for robust device applications. We report here on the fabrication of polymeric micro-goblet WGM resonators with an optically controlled and stable reversible tunability over a large spectral range. This tunability is achieved by integration of photo-responsive liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) into micro-goblet cavities. The optical response of the elastomer allows reshaping the goblet by employing low pump power, leading to a fully reversible tuning of the modes. The structure can be realistically implemented in on-chip devices, combining the ultra-high Q factors, typical of WGM resonators, with reliable, optical tunability. This result serves as an example of how light can control light, by invoking a physical reshaping of the structure. This way of optical tuning creates interesting possibilities for all-optical control in circuits, enabling interaction between signal and control beams and the realization of self-tuning cavities.
Vibrational spectroscopy at electrolyte/electrode interfaces with graphene gratings
Authors: Bie Ya-Qing , Horng Jason , Shi Zhiwen , Ju Long , Zhou Qin , Zettl Alex , Yu Dapeng , Wang Feng
Published: June 2015

Microscopic understanding of physical and electrochemical processes at electrolyte/electrode interfaces is critical for applications ranging from batteries, fuel cells to electrocatalysis. However, probing such buried interfacial processes is experimentally challenging. Infrared spectroscopy is sensitive to molecule vibrational signatures, yet to approach the interface three stringent requirements have to be met: interface specificity, sub-monolayer molecular detection sensitivity, and electrochemically stable and infrared transparent electrodes. Here we show that transparent graphene gratings electrode provide an attractive platform for vibrational spectroscopy at the electrolyte/electrode interfaces: infrared diffraction from graphene gratings offers enhanced detection sensitivity and interface specificity. We demonstrate the vibrational spectroscopy of methylene group of adsorbed sub-monolayer cetrimonium bromide molecules and reveal a reversible field-induced electrochemical deposition of cetrimonium bromide on the electrode controlled by the bias voltage. Such vibrational spectroscopy with graphene gratings is promising for real time and in situ monitoring of different chemical species at the electrolyte/electrode interfaces.
A Novel Audiovisual Brain-Computer Interface and Its Application in Awareness Detection
Authors: Wang Fei , He Yanbin , Pan Jiahui , Xie Qiuyou , Yu Ronghao , Zhang Rui , Li Yuanqing
Published: June 2015

Currently, detecting awareness in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) is a challenging task, which is commonly addressed through behavioral observation scales such as the JFK Coma Recovery Scale-Revised. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) provide an alternative approach to detect awareness in patients with DOC. However, these patients have a much lower capability of using BCIs compared to healthy individuals. This study proposed a novel BCI using temporally, spatially and semantically congruent audiovisual stimuli involving numbers (i.e., visual and spoken numbers). Subjects were instructed to selectively attend to the target stimuli cued by instruction. Ten healthy subjects first participated in the experiment to evaluate the system. The results indicated that the audiovisual BCI system outperformed auditory-only and visual-only systems. Through event-related potential analysis, we observed audiovisual integration effects for target stimuli, which enhanced the discriminability between brain responses for target and nontarget stimuli and thus improved the performance of the audiovisual BCI. This system was then applied to detect the awareness of seven DOC patients, five of whom exhibited command following as well as number recognition. Thus, this audiovisual BCI system may be used as a supportive bedside tool for awareness detection in patients with DOC.
Two-Dimensional Pnictogen Honeycomb Lattice: Structure, On-Site Spin-Orbit Coupling and Spin Polarization
Authors: Lee Jason , Tian Wen-Chuan , Wang Wei-Liang , Yao Dao-Xin
Published: June 2015

Because of its novel physical properties, two-dimensional materials have attracted great attention. From first-principle calculations and vibration frequencies analysis, we predict a new family of two-dimensional materials based on the idea of octet stability: honeycomb lattices of pnictogens (N, P, As, Sb, Bi). The buckled structures of materials come from the sp3 hybridization. These materials have indirect band gap ranging from 0.43 eV to 3.7 eV. From the analysis of projected density of states, we argue that the s and p orbitals together are sufficient to describe the electronic structure under tight-binding model and the tight-binding parameters are obtained by fitting the band structures to first-principle results. Surprisingly large on-site spin-orbit coupling is found for all the pnictogen lattices except nitrogen. Investigation on the electronic structures of both zigzag and armchair nanoribbons reveals the possible existence of spin-polarized ferromagnetic edge states in some cases, which are rare in one-dimensional systems. These edge states and magnetism may exist under the condition of high vacuum and low temperature. This new family of materials would have promising applications in electronics, optics, sensors and solar cells.
Crystallinity of tellurium capping and epitaxy of ferromagnetic topological insulator films on SrTiO3
Authors: Park Jihwey , Soh Yeong-Ah , Aeppli Gabriel , Feng Xiao , Ou Yunbo , He Ke , Xue Qi-Kun
Published: June 2015

Thin films of topological insulators are often capped with an insulating layer since topological insulators are known to be fragile to degradation. However, capping can hinder the observation of novel transport properties of the surface states. To understand the influence of capping on the surface states, it is crucial to understand the crystal structure and the atomic arrangement at the interfaces. Here, we use x-ray diffraction to establish the crystal structure of magnetic topological insulator Cr-doped (Bi,Sb)2Te3 (CBST) films grown on SrTiO3 (1 1 1) substrates with and without a Te capping layer. We find that both the film and capping layer are single crystal and that the crystal quality of the film is independent of the presence of the capping layer, but that x-rays cause sublimation of the CBST film, which is prevented by the capping layer. Our findings show that the different transport properties of capped films cannot be attributed to a lower crystal quality but to a more subtle effect such as a different electronic structure at the interface with the capping layer. Our results on the crystal structure and atomic arrangements of the topological heterostructure will enable modelling the electronic structure and design of topological heterostructures.
Facile route to freestanding CH3NH3PbI3 crystals using inverse solubility
Authors: Kadro Jeannette M. , Nonomura Kazuteru , Gachet David , Grätzel Michael , Hagfeldt Anders
Published: June 2015

CH3NH3PbI3 was found to exhibit inverse solubility at high temperatures in γ-butyrolactone. Making use of this unusual, so far unreported phenomenon, we present a facile method for the growth of freestanding crystals of CH3NH3PbI3 from solution without addition of any capping agents or seed particles. Large, strongly faceted crystals could be grown within minutes. This finding may aid in understanding the crystallization process of CH3NH3PbI3 from solution that may lead to improved morphological control of film deposition for a range of device architectures. Our process offers a facile and rapid route to freestanding crystals for use in a broad range of characterization techniques.
Phenotypic and evolutionary implications of modulating the ERK-MAPK cascade using the dentition as a model
Authors: Marangoni Pauline , Charles Cyril , Tafforeau Paul , Laugel-Haushalter Virginie , Joo Adriane , Bloch-Zupan Agnès , Klein Ophir D. , Viriot Laurent
Published: June 2015

The question of phenotypic convergence across a signalling pathway has important implications for both developmental and evolutionary biology. The ERK-MAPK cascade is known to play a central role in dental development, but the relative roles of its components remain unknown. Here we investigate the diversity of dental phenotypes in Spry2−/−, Spry4−/− and Rsk2−/Y mice, including the incidence of extra teeth, which were lost in the mouse lineage 45 million years ago (Ma). In addition, Sprouty-specific anomalies mimic a phenotype that is absent in extant mice but present in mouse ancestors prior to 9 Ma. Although the mutant lines studied display convergent phenotypes, each gene has a specific role in tooth number determination and crown patterning. The similarities found between teeth in fossils and mutants highlight the pivotal role of the ERK-MAPK cascade during the evolution of the dentition in rodents.
Superdiffusion dominates intracellular particle motion in the supercrowded cytoplasm of pathogenic Acanthamoeba castellanii
Authors: Reverey Julia F. , Jeon Jae-Hyung , Bao Han , Leippe Matthias , Metzler Ralf , Selhuber-Unkel Christine
Published: June 2015

Acanthamoebae are free-living protists and human pathogens, whose cellular functions and pathogenicity strongly depend on the transport of intracellular vesicles and granules through the cytosol. Using high-speed live cell imaging in combination with single-particle tracking analysis, we show here that the motion of endogenous intracellular particles in the size range from a few hundred nanometers to several micrometers in Acanthamoeba castellanii is strongly superdiffusive and influenced by cell locomotion, cytoskeletal elements and myosin II. We demonstrate that cell locomotion significantly contributes to intracellular particle motion, but is clearly not the only origin of superdiffusivity. By analyzing the contribution of microtubules, actin and myosin II motors we show that myosin II is a major driving force of intracellular motion in A. castellanii. The cytoplasm of A. castellanii is supercrowded with intracellular vesicles and granules, such that significant intracellular motion can only be achieved by actively driven motion, while purely thermally driven diffusion is negligible.
High performance wash-free magnetic bioassays through microfluidically enhanced particle specificity
Authors: Bechstein Daniel J.B. , Lee Jung-Rok , Ooi Chin Chun , Gani Adi W. , Kim Kyunglok , Wilson Robert J. , Wang Shan X.
Published: June 2015

Magnetic biosensors have emerged as a sensitive and versatile platform for high performance medical diagnostics. These magnetic biosensors require well-tailored magnetic particles as detection probes, which need to give rise to a large and specific biological signal while showing very low nonspecific binding. This is especially important in wash-free bioassay protocols, which do not require removal of particles before measurement, often a necessity in point of care diagnostics. Here we show that magnetic interactions between magnetic particles and magnetized sensors dramatically impact particle transport and magnetic adhesion to the sensor surfaces. We investigate the dynamics of magnetic particles’ biomolecular binding and magnetic adhesion to the sensor surface using microfluidic experiments. We elucidate how flow forces can inhibit magnetic adhesion, greatly diminishing or even eliminating nonspecific signals in wash-free magnetic bioassays and enhancing signal to noise ratios by several orders of magnitude. Our method is useful for selecting and optimizing magnetic particles for a wide range of magnetic sensor platforms.
Parity effect of bipolar quantum Hall edge transport around graphene antidots
Authors: Matsuo Sadashige , Nakaharai Shu , Komatsu Katsuyoshi , Tsukagoshi Kazuhito , Moriyama Takahiro , Ono Teruo , Kobayashi Kensuke
Published: June 2015

Parity effect, which means that even-odd property of an integer physical parameter results in an essential difference, ubiquitously appears and enables us to grasp its physical essence as the microscopic mechanism is less significant in coarse graining. Here we report a new parity effect of quantum Hall edge transport in graphene antidot devices with pn junctions (PNJs). We found and experimentally verified that the bipolar quantum Hall edge transport is drastically affected by the parity of the number of PNJs. This parity effect is universal in bipolar quantum Hall edge transport of not only graphene but also massless Dirac electron systems. These results offer a promising way to design electron interferometers in graphene.
Enzymatic measurement of phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin in cultured cells and mitochondria
Authors: Morita Shin-ya , Terada Tomohiro
Published: June 2015

Phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and cardiolipin (CL) are synthesized in mitochondria and regulate numerous biological functions. In this study, a novel fluorometric method was developed for measuring PG and CL using combinations of specific enzymes and Amplex Red. This assay quantified the sum of PG and CL (PG + CL) regardless of the species of fatty acyl chain. The calibration curve for PG + CL measurement was linear and the detection limit was 1 μM (10 pmol in the reaction mixture). This new method was applied to the determinations of PG + CL content in HEK293 cells and CL content in purified mitochondria, because the mitochondrial content of PG is negligible compared with that of CL. We demonstrated that the PG+CL content was greater at low cell density than at high cell density. The overexpression of phosphatidylglycerophosphate synthase 1 (PGS1) increased the cellular contents of PG + CL and phosphatidylcholine (PC) and reduced that of phosphatidic acid. PGS1 overexpression also elevated the mitochondrial contents of CL and PC, but had no effect on the number of mitochondria per cell. In addition to the enzymatic measurements of other phospholipids, this simple, sensitive and high-throughput assay for measuring PG + CL can be used to understand cellular, physiological and pathological processes.
Functional POR A503V is associated with the risk of bladder cancer in a Chinese population
Authors: Xiao Xue , Ma Gaoxiang , Li Shushu , Wang Meilin , Liu Nian , Ma Lan , Zhang Zhan , Chu Haiyan , Zhang Zhengdong , Wang Shou-Lin
Published: June 2015

Human cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) plays important roles in the metabolism of exogenous carcinogens and endogenous sterol hormones. However, few studies have explored the association between POR variants and the risk of bladder cancer. In this study, we first sequenced all 16 POR exons among 50 randomly selected controls and found three variants, rs1135612, rs1057868 (A503V) and rs2228104, which were then assessed the relation to risk of bladder cancer in a case-control study of 1,050 bladder cancer cases and 1,404 cancer-free controls in a Chinese population. People with A503V TT genotype have a decreased risk of bladder cancer in a recessive model (TT vs. CC/CT, OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.57–0.93), which was more pronounced among elderly male, non-smoking, subjects. Especially, A503V TT genotype showed a protective effect in the invasive tumor stage. Functional analysis revealed that A503V activity decreased in cytochrome c reduction (50.5 units/mg vs. 135.4 units/mg), mitomycin C clearance (38.3% vs. 96.8%) and mitomycin C-induced colony formation (78.0 vs 34.3 colonies per dish). The results suggested that POR A503V might decrease the risk of bladder cancer by reducing its metabolic activity and should be a potential biomarker for predicting the susceptibility to human bladder cancer.
SPECT/CT Imaging of High-Risk Atherosclerotic Plaques using Integrin-Binding RGD Dimer Peptides
Authors: Sun Yoo Jung , Lee Jonghwan , Ho Jung Jae , Seok Moon Byung , Kim Soonhag , Chul Lee Byung , Eun Kim Sang
Published: June 2015

Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques with unique biological signatures are responsible for most major cardiovascular events including acute myocardial infarction and stroke. However, current clinical diagnostic approaches for atherosclerosis focus on anatomical measurements such as the degree of luminal stenosis and wall thickness. An abundance of neovessels with elevated expression of integrin αvβ3 is closely associated with an increased risk of plaque rupture. Herein we evaluated the potential of an αvβ3 integrin-targeting radiotracer, 99mTc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2, for SPECT/CT imaging of high-risk plaque in murine atherosclerosis models. In vivo uptake of 99mTc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2 was significantly higher in atherosclerotic aortas than in relatively normal aortas. Comparison with the negative-control peptide, 99mTc-IDA-D-[c(RADfK)]2, proved specific binding of 99mTc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2 for plaque lesions in in vivo SPECT/CT and ex vivo autoradiographic imaging. Histopathological characterization revealed that a prominent SPECT signal of 99mTc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2 corresponded to the presence of high-risk plaques with a large necrotic core, a thin fibrous cap and vibrant neoangiogenic events. Notably, the RGD dimer based 99mTc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2 showed better imaging performance in comparison with the common monomeric RGD peptide probe 123I-c(RGDyV) and fluorescence tissue assay corroborated this. Our preclinical data demonstrated that 99mTc-IDA-D-[c(RGDfK)]2 SPECT/CT is a sensitive tool to noninvasively gauge atherosclerosis beyond vascular anatomy by assessing culprit plaque neovascularization.
Long noncoding RNA expression profiles in gut tissues constitute molecular signatures that reflect the types of microbes
Authors: Liang Lunxi , Ai Luoyan , Qian Jin , Fang Jing-Yuan , Xu Jie
Published: June 2015

The gut microbiota is commonly referred to as a hidden organ due to its pivotal effects on host physiology, metabolism, nutrition and immunity. The gut microbes may be shaped by environmental and host genetic factors and previous studies have focused on the roles of protein-coding genes. Here we show a link between long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression and gut microbes. By repurposing exon microarrays and comparing the lncRNA expression profiles between germ-free, conventional and different gnotobiotic mice, we revealed subgroups of lncRNAs that were specifically enriched in each condition. A nearest shrunken centroid methodology was applied to obtain lncRNA-based signatures to identify mice in different conditions. The lncRNA-based prediction model successfully identified different gnotobiotic mice from conventional and germ-free mice and also discriminated mice harboring transplanted microbes from fecal samples of mice or zebra fishes. To achieve optimal prediction accuracy, fewer lncRNAs were required in the prediction model than protein-coding genes. Taken together, our study demonstrated the effecacy of lncRNA expression profiles in discriminating the types of microbes in the gut. These results also provide a resource of gut microbe-associated lncRNAs for the development of lncRNA biomarkers and the identification of functional lncRNAs in host-microbes interactions.
Successful treatment of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans infections in salamanders requires synergy between voriconazole, polymyxin E and temperature
Authors: Blooi M. , Pasmans F. , Rouffaer L. , Haesebrouck F. , Vercammen F. , Martel A.
Published: June 2015

Chytridiomycosis caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) poses a serious threat to urodelan diversity worldwide. Antimycotic treatment of this disease using protocols developed for the related fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), results in therapeutic failure. Here, we reveal that this therapeutic failure is partly due to different minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antimycotics against Bsal and Bd. In vitro growth inhibition of Bsal occurs after exposure to voriconazole, polymyxin E, itraconazole and terbinafine but not to florfenicol. Synergistic effects between polymyxin E and voriconazole or itraconazole significantly decreased the combined MICs necessary to inhibit Bsal growth. Topical treatment of infected fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra), with voriconazole or itraconazole alone (12.5 μg/ml and 0.6 μg/ml respectively) or in combination with polymyxin E (2000 IU/ml) at an ambient temperature of 15 °C during 10 days decreased fungal loads but did not clear Bsal infections. However, topical treatment of Bsal infected animals with a combination of polymyxin E (2000 IU/ml) and voriconazole (12.5 μg/ml) at an ambient temperature of 20 °C resulted in clearance of Bsal infections. This treatment protocol was validated in 12 fire salamanders infected with Bsal during a field outbreak and resulted in clearance of infection in all animals.
Acceleration of protein folding by four orders of magnitude through a single amino acid substitution
Authors: Roderer Daniel J. A. , Schärer Martin A. , Rubini Marina , Glockshuber Rudi
Published: June 2015

Cis prolyl peptide bonds are conserved structural elements in numerous protein families, although their formation is energetically unfavorable, intrinsically slow and often rate-limiting for folding. Here we investigate the reasons underlying the conservation of the cis proline that is diagnostic for the fold of thioredoxin-like thiol-disulfide oxidoreductases. We show that replacement of the conserved cis proline in thioredoxin by alanine can accelerate spontaneous folding to the native, thermodynamically most stable state by more than four orders of magnitude. However, the resulting trans alanine bond leads to small structural rearrangements around the active site that impair the function of thioredoxin as catalyst of electron transfer reactions by more than 100-fold. Our data provide evidence for the absence of a strong evolutionary pressure to achieve intrinsically fast folding rates, which is most likely a consequence of proline isomerases and molecular chaperones that guarantee high in vivo folding rates and yields.
The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism moderates the relationship between cognitive reserve and executive function
Authors: Ward D D , Summers M J , Saunders N L , Ritchie K , Summers J J , Vickers J C
Published: June 2015

The concept of cognitive reserve (CR) has been proposed to account for observed discrepancies between pathology and its clinical manifestation due to underlying differences in brain structure and function. In 433 healthy older adults participating in the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project, we investigated whether common polymorphic variations in apolipoprotein E (APOE) or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)influenced the association between CR contributors and cognitive function in older adults. We show thatBDNFVal66Met moderates the association between CR and executive function. CR accounted for 8.5% of the variance in executive function inBDNFVal homozygotes, but CR was a nonsignificant predictor inBDNFMet carriers.APOEpolymorphisms were not linked to the influence of CR on cognitive function. This result implicatesBDNFin having an important role in capacity for building or accessing CR.
Increased anterior insula activity in anxious individuals is linked to diminished perceived control
Authors: Alvarez R P , Kirlic N , Misaki M , Bodurka J , Rhudy J L , Paulus M P , Drevets W C
Published: June 2015

Individuals with high-trait anxiety frequently report decreased perceived control. However, it is unclear how these processes are instantiated at a neural level. Prior research suggests that individuals prone to anxiety may have exaggerated activity in the anterior insula and altered activity in the cingulate cortex during anticipation of aversive events. Thus, we hypothesized that anxiety proneness influences anterior insula activation during anticipation of unpredictable threat through decreased perceived control. Forty physically healthy adults underwent neuroimaging while they explored computer-simulated contexts associated either with or without the threat of an unpredictable shock. Skin conductance, anxiety ratings and blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging were used to assess responses to threat versus no threat. Perceived control was measured using the Anxiety Control Questionnaire-Revised. Mediation analysis examined how anxiety proneness influenced BOLD activity. Anticipation of unpredictable threat resulted in increased skin conductance responses, anxiety ratings and enhanced activation in bilateral insula, anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Individuals with greater anxiety proneness and less perceived control showed greater activity in dorsal anterior insula (dAI). Perceived control mediated the relationship between anxiety proneness and dAI activity. Increased dAI activity was associated with increased activity in aMCC, which correlated with increased exploratory behavior. Results provide evidence that exaggerated insula activation during the threat of unpredictable shock is directly related to low perceived control in anxiety-prone individuals. Perceived control thus may constitute an important treatment target to modulate insula activity during anxious anticipation in anxiety-disordered individuals.
Psychometric precision in phenotype definition is a useful step in molecular genetic investigation of psychiatric disorders
Authors: Xu M K , Gaysina D , Barnett J H , Scoriels L , van de Lagemaat L N , Wong A , Richards M , Croudace T J , Jones P B ,   the LHA genetics group
Published: June 2015

Affective disorders are highly heritable, but few genetic risk variants have been consistently replicated in molecular genetic association studies. The common method of defining psychiatric phenotypes in molecular genetic research is either a summation of symptom scores or binary threshold score representing the risk of diagnosis. Psychometric latent variable methods can improve the precision of psychiatric phenotypes, especially when the data structure is not straightforward. Using data from the British 1946 birth cohort, we compared summary scores with psychometric modeling based on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) scale for affective symptoms in an association analysis of 27 candidate genes (249 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)). The psychometric method utilized a bi-factor model that partitioned the phenotype variances into five orthogonal latent variable factors, in accordance with the multidimensional data structure of the GHQ-28 involving somatic, social, anxiety and depression domains. Results showed that, compared with the summation approach, the affective symptoms defined by the bi-factor psychometric model had a higher number of associated SNPs of larger effect sizes. These results suggest that psychometrically defined mental health phenotypes can reflect the dimensions of complex phenotypes better than summation scores, and therefore offer a useful approach in genetic association investigations.
Rapid fingerprinting of Rauwolfia species using direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry combined with principal component analysis for their discrimination
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Bajpai Vikas , Singh Awantika , Bindu S. , Srivastava Mukesh , Rameshkumar K. B. , Kumar Brijesh
Published: June 2015

A rapid and validated method was developed for fingerprinting of roots and leaves of six Rauwolfia species by direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry.
Simulating the inhibition reaction of Mycobacterium tuberculosisl,d-transpeptidase 2 by carbapenems
Authors: Silva José Rogério A. , Govender Thavendran , Maguire Glenn E. M. , Kruger Hendrik G. , Lameira Jerônimo , Roitberg Adrian E. , Alves Cláudio Nahum
Published: June 2015

The inactivation mechanism of LDT enzyme from M. tuberculosis by carbapenems is described by QM/MM and PMF analysis
Receptor selective ruthenium-somatostatin photosensitizer for cancer targeted photodynamic applications
Authors: Wang Tao , Zabarska Natalia , Wu Yuzhou , Lamla Markus , Fischer Stephan , Monczak Katharina , Ng David Y. W. , Rau Sven , Weil Tanja
Published: June 2015

The efficient conjugation of a ruthenium complex and the peptide hormone somatostatin is presented. The resultant biohybrid offers many valuable features for photodynamic therapy.
Reversible and non-reactive cellulose separations from ionic liquid mixtures with compressed carbon dioxide
Authors: Minnick David L. , Scurto Aaron M.
Published: June 2015

A novel physical (non-reactive) separation of cellulose from an ionic liquid (IL)/cosolvent mixture by compressed carbon dioxide is presented.
Silica shelled and block copolymer encapsulated red-emissive AIE nanoparticles with 50% quantum yield for two-photon excited vascular imaging
Authors: Geng Junlong , Goh Chi Ching , Qin Wei , Liu Rongrong , Tomczak Nikodem , Ng Lai Guan , Tang Ben Zhong , Liu Bin
Published: June 2015

A polymer and silica co-protection strategy has been developed to encapsulate organic fluorogens with aggregation-induced emission and charge transfer characteristics into small nanoparticles (NPs).
A dual-potential electrochemiluminescence ratiometric approach based on graphene quantum dots and luminol for highly sensitive detection of protein kinase activity
Authors: Zhao Hui-Fang , Liang Ru-Ping , Wang Jing-Wu , Qiu Jian-Ding
Published: June 2015

A novel Au NP mediated dual-potential ECL ratiometric approach based on GQDs and luminol for sensitive PKA detection is developed.
A biofuel cell in non-aqueous solution
Authors: Xiao Xinxin , Magner Edmond
Published: June 2015

We report the first example of a biofuel cell operating in organic solvents.
Supramolecular chirality in self-assembled peptide amphiphile nanostructures
Authors: Garifullin Ruslan , Guler Mustafa O.
Published: June 2015

Induced supramolecular chirality was investigated in the self-assembled peptide amphiphile (PA) nanosystems.
New ester based gemini surfactants: the effect of different cationic headgroups on micellization properties and viscosity of aqueous micellar solution
Authors: Bhadani Avinash , Tani Misako , Endo Takeshi , Sakai Kenichi , Abe Masahiko , Sakai Hideki
Published: June 2015

Ester functionalized cationic gemini surfactants with different cationic headgroups.
The cis-isomer performs better than the trans-isomer in porphyrin-sensitized solar cells: interfacial electron transport and charge recombination investigations
Authors: Luo Liyang , Ambre Ram B. , Mane Sandeep B. , Diau Eric Wei-Guang , Hung Chen-Hsiung
Published: June 2015

Distinctive differences in the performance of DSSC devices fabricated from cis- and trans-isomers of a zinc porphyrin have been rationalized.
Assignment of high-lying bending mode levels in the threshold photoelectron spectrum of NH2: a comparison between pyrolysis and fluorine-atom abstraction radical sources
Authors: Holzmeier F. , Lang M. , Fischer I. , Hemberger P. , Garcia G. A. , Tang X. , Loison J.-C.
Published: June 2015

The bending mode progression in the photoelectron spectrum of NH2 was observed and assigned up to υ2+ ≤ 5 and Ka+ ≤ 3.
Elucidation of reaction network of higher alcohol synthesis over modified FT catalysts by probe molecule experiments
Authors: Yang Yanzhang , Wang Lei , Xiao Kang , Zhao Tiejun , Wang Hui , Zhong Liangshu , Sun Yuhan
Published: June 2015

The reaction network of high alcohol synthesis over a CuFe/ZrO2 modified FT catalyst was investigated by the probe molecule technique.
Influences of the substituents on the M–M bonding in Cp4Al4 and Cp2M2X2 (M = B, Al, Ga; Cp = C5H5, X = halogen)
Authors: Lu Feifei , Li Xiaoyan , Sun Zheng , Zeng Yanli , Meng Lingpeng
Published: June 2015

The different stabilities of Cp*4Al4 and Cp4Al4 (Cp = C5H5) have been explained by theoretical methods.
Homochiral 3D coordination polymer with unprecedented three-directional helical topology from achiral precursor: synthesis, crystal structure, and luminescence properties of uranyl succinate metal–organic framework
Authors: Wang Juan , Wei Zhen , Guo Fengwan , Li Chenyang , Zhu Pengfei , Zhu Wenhua
Published: June 2015

Synthesis, crystal structure and luminescence properties of uranyl chiral coordination polymers from achiral ligands.
Activation of Nrf2 target enzymes conferring protection against oxidative stress in PC12 cells by ginger principal constituent 6-shogaol
Authors: Peng Shoujiao , Yao Juan , Liu Yaping , Duan Dongzhu , Zhang Xiaolong , Fang Jianguo
Published: June 2015

Ginger polyphenol 6-shogaol confers neuroprotectionviaactivation of Nrf2.
Acetic acid in aged vinegar affects molecular targets for thrombus disease management
Authors: Jing Li , Yanyan Zhang , Junfeng Fan
Published: June 2015

To elucidate the mechanism underlying the action of dietary vinegar on antithrombotic activity, acetic acid, the main acidic component of dietary vinegar, was used to determine antiplatelet and fibrinolytic activity.
Pd complex of an NNN pincer ligand supported on γ-Fe2O3@SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles: a new catalyst for Heck, Suzuki and Sonogashira coupling reactions
Authors: Sobhani Sara , Zeraatkar Zohre , Zarifi Farzaneh
Published: June 2015

Pd-BIP-γ-Fe2O3@SiO2 was used successfully as an air- and moisture-stable magnetically recyclable catalyst for Heck, Suzuki and Sonogashira coupling reactions.
A dual wavelength-activatable gold nanorod complex for synergistic cancer treatment
Authors: Pacardo Dennis B. , Neupane Bhanu , Rikard S. Michaela , Lu Yue , Mo Ran , Mishra Sumeet R. , Tracy Joseph B. , Wang Gufeng , Ligler Frances S. , Gu Zhen
Published: June 2015

A multifunctional gold nanorod complex was formulated for synergistic anticancer treatment upon ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) light dual irradiations.
Natural nitric oxide (NO) inhibitors from the rhizomes of Curcuma phaeocaulis
Authors: Ma Jiang-Hao , Zhao Feng , Wang Ying , Liu Yue , Gao Su-Yu , Ding Li-Qin , Chen Li-Xia , Qiu Feng
Published: June 2015

Four new sesquiterpenes, two nor-sesquiterpenes including a new skeleton, one cyclic diarylheptanoid, and one aromatic acid were isolated from Curcuma phaeocaulis.
Divergent synthesis of various iminocyclitols fromd-ribose
Authors: Petakamsetty Ramu , Jain Vipin Kumar , Majhi Pankaj Kumar , Ramapanicker Ramesh
Published: June 2015

A very efficient route to the diastereoselective synthesis of polyhydroxy pyrrolidines, piperidines and azepanes from an aldehyde derivative of ribose is reported.
Multicomponent domino reactions of hydrazinecarbodithioates: concise access to 3-substituted 5-thiol-1,3,4-thiadiazolines
Authors: Jia Huihui , Feng Huangdi , Sun Zhihua
Published: June 2015

Two classes of addition/cycloaddition cascade reactions of hydrazinecarbodithioate (1) have been developed under mild reaction conditions.
Synthesis and properties of low band gap polymers based on thienyl thienoindole as a new electron-rich unit for organic photovoltaics
Authors: Shim Joo Young , Baek Jiyeon , Kim Juae , Park Song Yi , Kim Jinwoo , Kim Il , Chun Ho Hwan , Kim Jin Young , Suh Hongsuk
Published: June 2015

A series of polymers based on 6-(2-thienyl)-4H-thieno[3,2-b]indole, a new electron-rich unit for organic photovoltaics, was synthesized. The best-performing device demonstrated a power conversion efficiency of 3.35%.
Effect of residue structure on the thermal and thermoresponsive properties of γ-substituted poly(N-acryloyl-2-pyrrolidones)
Authors: Bhat R. , Patel H. , Tsai P.-C. , Sun X.-L. , Daoud D. , Lalancette R. A. , Michniak-Kohn B. , Pietrangelo A.
Published: June 2015

We discuss the results of an investigation into the structure/property correlations of γ-substituted poly(N-acryloyl-2-pyrrolidone)s, a recently reported class of pyrrolidone-based polymers prepared from pyroglutamic acid, a bio-derived resource.