bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preschool psychiatric disorders: homotypic and heterotypic continuity through middle childhood and early adolescence
Authors: Finsaas Megan C. , Bufferd Sara J. , Dougherty Lea R. , Carlson Gabrielle A. , Klein Daniel N.
Published: January 2018

Background

Many preschool-age children meet criteria for psychiatric disorders, and rates approach those observed in later childhood and adolescence. However, there is a paucity of longitudinal research examining the outcomes of preschool diagnoses.

Methods

Families with a 3-year-old child (N = 559) were recruited from the community. Primary caregivers were interviewed using the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment when children were 3 years old (n = 541), and, along with children, using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children Present and Lifetime Version when children were 9 and 12 years old.

Results

Rates of disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) decreased from preschool to middle childhood and early adolescence, whereas rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increased. Rates of any psychiatric disorder and depression increased from preschool to early adolescence only. Preschoolers with a diagnosis were over twice as likely to have a diagnosis during later periods. Homotypic continuity was present for anxiety disorders from preschool to middle childhood, for ADHD from preschool to early adolescence, and for DBD through both later time points. There was heterotypic continuity between preschool anxiety and early adolescent depression, and between preschool ADHD and early adolescent DBD. Dimensional symptom scores showed homotypic continuity for all diagnostic categories and showed a number of heterotypic associations as well.

Conclusions

Results provide moderate support for the predictive validity of psychiatric disorders in preschoolers. Psychopathology in preschool is a significant risk factor for future psychiatric disorders during middle childhood and early adolescence.
Productive activity patterns among 60–70-year-old retirees in Germany
Authors: MERGENTHALER ANDREAS , SACKREUTHER INES , STAUDINGER URSULA M.
Published: January 2018

The phase of retirement has been steadily growing since the 1950s. Rules and regulations related to retirement have been changing. Recent cohorts have reached this phase in better health than previous ones. Until recently, retirement has been rather void of societal expectations, leaving room for individual decisions regarding amount and type of activity. Thus, investigating activity patterns displayed during this life phase, their predictors and outcomes seems overdue. The study addresses three questions: (a) Which distinct clusters of productive activities among retirees can be identified in Germany? (b) Do activity patterns of clusters follow complementary or substitutive composition rules? (c) Which are the most important predictors of cluster membership? Using probability-based sample data (N = 2,141) from the survey ‘Transitions and Old Age Potential’ (TOP), this study investigated clusters of productive activities among retirees aged 60–70 years in Germany. The activities examined included paid work after retirement, formal and informal volunteering, child care and care-giving. Results showed a four-cluster structure. The clusters (Multiple Engagers, Volunteers, Family Helpers and Family Disengagers) differed with regard to the composition and the intensity of productive activities. Both complementary and substitutive relations were identified within clusters. Individual, familial and economic resources were predictors of cluster membership. Results are discussed with regard to role theory, cumulative inequality theory and the ongoing debate about old-age potential.
Staying Out of the Closet: LGBT Older Adults’ Hopes and Fears in Considering End-of-Life
Authors: Wilson Kimberley , Kortes-Miller Katherine , Stinchcombe Arne
Published: January 2018

Le vieillissement de la population canadienne et l’hétérogéneité des aînés amène une diversité accrue en fin de vie. L’objectif de cette étude était d’aider à combler les lacunes présentes dans la recherche du vieillissement et la fin de vie des personnes LGBT. À l’aide des groupes de discussion, nous avons tenté de mieux comprendre les expériences vécues des individus LGBT plus âgés, afin de mettre en évidence leurs inquiétudes associés aux dernières phases de la vie. Notre analyse démontre que l’identité LGBT est déterminante lorsqu’on considère le vieillissement et les soins en fin de vie. En particulier, l’identité de genre et l’orientation sexuelle sont des facteurs importants par rapport aux liens sociaux, influençant les attentes des individus envers les soins qu’ils reçoivent, à la crainte unique associée à la révélation de son homosexualité et le maintien de l’identité tout au long du vieillissement et des dernières phases de la vie. Cette étude souligne le besoin de considérer l’identité du genre et l’orientation sexuelle en fin de vie. En particulier, la reconnaissance de l’intersectionnalité et des lieux sociaux est essentielle afin de faciliter des expériences positives par rapport au vieillissement et des soins en fin de vie.
Ramsey Goodness of Bounded Degree Trees
Authors: BALLA IGOR , POKROVSKIY ALEXEY , SUDAKOV BENNY
Published: January 2018

Given a pair of graphsGandH, the Ramsey numberR(G,H) is the smallestNsuch that every red–blue colouring of the edges of the complete graphKNcontains a red copy ofGor a blue copy ofH. If a graphGis connected, it is well known and easy to show thatR(G,H) ≥ (|G|−1)(χ(H)−1)+σ(H), where χ(H) is the chromatic number ofHand σ(H) is the size of the smallest colour class in a χ(H)-colouring ofH. A graphGis calledH-goodifR(G,H) = (|G|−1)(χ(H)−1)+σ(H). The notion of Ramsey goodness was introduced by Burr and Erdős in 1983 and has been extensively studied since then.

In this paper we show that ifn≥ Ω(|H| log4|H|) then everyn-vertex bounded degree treeTisH-good. The dependency betweennand |H| is tight up to log factors. This substantially improves a result of Erdős, Faudree, Rousseau, and Schelp from 1985, who proved thatn-vertex bounded degree trees areH-good whenn≥ Ω(|H|4).
GEORGE PADMORE AND THE SOVIET MODEL OF THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH
Authors: WILLIAMS THEO
Published: January 2018

This article argues for an appreciation of the permeability of the Western socialist and black radical traditions and a recognition of their codevelopment. This relationship is illustrated through an analysis of George Padmore's intellectual history, particularly focusing on How Russia Transformed Her Colonial Empire (1946), in which Padmore applied Marxist ideas to his project of colonial liberation. The book functions as Padmore's manifesto for the transformation of the British Empire into a socialist federation following the model of the Soviet Union. Through comparisons with the manifestos of British socialist F. A. Ridley and American pan-Africanist W. E. B. Du Bois, this article contextualizes this manifesto within a moment of postwar internationalist optimism. This approach also facilitates a discussion of the meaning of “pan-Africanism” to Padmore, concluding that pan-Africanism was, for him, a methodology through which colonial liberation, and eventually world socialism, could be achieved.
Do direct market farms use fewer agricultural chemicals? Evidence from the US census of agriculture
Authors: Schoolman Ethan D.
Published: January 2018

Are strong local food systems better for the environment than conventional food systems where relatively close proximity between points of production and consumption is not a defining characteristic? Despite growing support for efforts to strengthen local food systems, surprisingly little is known about the relationship of local food to environmental sustainability. In particular, the relationship of local food systems to the use of agricultural chemicals to manage pests, weeds and disease has not been a subject of systematic research. In this paper, I use longitudinal data from the US Census of Agriculture to explore whether growth in local food systems is associated with decreased on-farm use of agricultural chemicals. Drawing on county-level data from 1997 to 2012, I find that an increase in the strength of local food systems—whether measured as the number of farms that market products directly to consumers, or as the total value of direct market products—has been broadly associated with a decrease in spending on agricultural chemicals in the USA as a whole. But the magnitude of the relationship between direct marketing to consumers and changes in agricultural chemical use has dwindled over time, to the point where it is not clear whether contemporary local food systems are still incentivizing farmers to reduce their use of pesticides. Overall, this study lends new credence to the idea that robust local food systems can benefit the environment. But even where just one dimension of agriculture's impact on the environment is concerned, the characteristics of local food systems appear to have varied over time—a qualification that argues strongly for further research into the relationship of local food to agricultural practice.
Microbial community assembly in wild populations of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Adair Karen L , Wilson Marita , Bost Alyssa , Douglas Angela E
Published: January 2018

Animals are routinely colonized by microorganisms. Despite many studies documenting the microbial taxa associated with animals, the pattern and ecological determinants of among-animal variation in microbial communities are poorly understood. This study quantified the bacterial communities associated with natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster. Across five collections, each fly bore 16–78 OTUs, predominantly of the Acetobacteraceae, Lactobacillaceae, and Enterobacteriaceae. Positive relationships, mostly among related OTUs, dominated both the significant co-occurrences and co-association networks among bacteria, and OTUs with important network positions were generally of intermediate abundance and prevalence. The prevalence of most OTUs was well predicted by a neutral model suggesting that ecological drift and passive dispersal contribute significantly to microbiome composition. However, some Acetobacteraceae and Lactobacillaceae were present in more flies than predicted, indicative of superior among-fly dispersal. These taxa may be well-adapted to the Drosophila habitat from the perspective of dispersal as the principal benefit of the association to the microbial partners. Taken together, these patterns indicate that both stochastic processes and deterministic processes relating to the differential capacity for persistence in the host habitat and transmission between hosts contribute to bacterial community assembly in Drosophila melanogaster.
miR-181a-5p suppresses invasion and migration of HTR-8/SVneo cells by directly targeting IGF2BP2
Authors: Wu Liang , Song Wen-yan , Xie Ya , Hu Lin-li , Hou Xiao-man , Wang Rui , Gao Yang , Zhang Jing-na , Zhang Le , Li Wei-wei , Zhu Cheng , Gao Zhi-ying , Sun Ying-pu
Published: January 2018

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-related disease that may cause maternal, neonatal and fetal morbidity and mortality and exists in 3–5% of pregnancies worldwide. The discovery of dysregulated microRNAs and their roles in placental development has provided a new avenue for elucidating the mechanism involved in this pregnancy-specific disorder. Here, the roles of human miR-181a-5p, a microRNA that is increased in both the plasma and placenta of severe pre-eclamptic patients, in invasion and migration of trophoblasts were investigated. Ectopic-expression of miR-181a-5p impaired the invasion and migration of HTR-8/SVneo cells, whereas miR-181a-5p inhibition had the opposite effects. IGF2BP2, which harbors a highly conserved miR-181a-5p-binding site within its 3ʹ-UTR, was identified to be directly inhibited by miR-181a-5p. Moreover, siRNAs targeting IGF2BP2 imitated the effects of overexpressed miR-181a-5p on HTR-8/SVneo cell invasion and migration, whereas restoring IGF2BP2 expression by overexpressing a plasmid encoding IGF2BP2 partially reversed the studied inhibitory functions of miR-181a-5p. Thus, we demonstrated here that miR-181a-5p suppresses the invasion and migration of cytotrophoblasts, and its inhibitory effects were at least partially mediated by the suppression of IGF2BP2 expression, thus shedding new light on the roles of miR-181a-5p in the pathogenesis of severe pre-eclampsia.
Plumbagin inhibits the proliferation and survival of esophageal cancer cells by blocking STAT3-PLK1-AKT signaling
Authors: Cao Ying-Ya , Yu Jing , Liu Ting-Ting , Yang Kai-Xia , Yang Li-Yan , Chen Qun , Shi Feng , Hao Jia-Jie , Cai Yan , Wang Ming-Rong , Lu Wei-Hua , Zhang Yu
Published: January 2018

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the deadliest cancers, and it requires novel treatment approaches and effective drugs. In the present study, we found that treatment with plumbagin, a natural compound, reduced proliferation and survival of the KYSE150 and KYSE450 ESCC cell lines in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. The drug also effectively inhibited the viability of primary ESCC cells from fresh biopsy specimens. Furthermore, plumbagin-induced mitotic arrest and massive apoptosis in ESCC cells. Notably, the drug significantly suppressed the colony formation capacity of ESCC cells in vitro and the growth of KYSE150 xenograft tumors in vivo. At the molecular level, we found that exposure to plumbagin decreased both polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) expression in both ESCC cell lines. Enforced PLK1 expression in ESCC cells not only markedly rescued cells from plumbagin-induced apoptosis and proliferation inhibition but also restored the impaired AKT activity. Furthermore, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a transcription factor of PLK1, was also inactivated in plumbagin-treated ESCC cells; however, the overexpression of a constitutively activated STAT3 mutant, STAT3C, reinstated the plumbagin-elicited blockade of PLK1-AKT signaling in ESCC cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that plumbagin inhibits proliferation and potentiates apoptosis in human ESCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Plumbagin may exert these antitumor effects by abrogating STAT3-PLK1-AKT signaling, which suggests that plumbagin may be a novel, promising anticancer agent for the treatment of ESCC.
Single-cell genomics of multiple uncultured stramenopiles reveals underestimated functional diversity across oceans
Authors: Seeleuthner Yoann , Mondy Samuel , Lombard Vincent , Carradec Quentin , Pelletier Eric , Wessner Marc , Leconte Jade , Mangot Jean-François , Poulain Julie , Labadie Karine , Logares Ramiro , Sunagawa Shinichi , de Berardinis Véronique , Salanoubat Marcel , Dimier Céline , Kandels-Lewis Stefanie , Picheral Marc , Searson Sarah ,   Tara Oceans Coordinators, Acinas Silvia G. , Boss Emmanuel , Follows Michael , Gorsky Gabriel , Grimsley Nigel , Karp-Boss Lee , Krzic Uros , Not Fabrice , Ogata Hiroyuki , Raes Jeroen , Reynaud Emmanuel G. , Sardet Christian , Speich Sabrina , Stemmann Lars , Velayoudon Didier , Weissenbach Jean , Pesant Stephane , Poulton Nicole , Stepanauskas Ramunas , Bork Peer , Bowler Chris , Hingamp Pascal , Sullivan Matthew B. , Iudicone Daniele , Massana Ramon , Aury Jean-Marc , Henrissat Bernard , Karsenti Eric , Jaillon Olivier , Sieracki Mike , de Vargas Colomban , Wincker Patrick
Published: January 2018

Single-celled eukaryotes (protists) are critical players in global biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and energy in the oceans. While their roles as primary producers and grazers are well appreciated, other aspects of their life histories remain obscure due to challenges in culturing and sequencing their natural diversity. Here, we exploit single-cell genomics and metagenomics data from the circumglobal Tara Oceans expedition to analyze the genome content and apparent oceanic distribution of seven prevalent lineages of uncultured heterotrophic stramenopiles. Based on the available data, each sequenced genome or genotype appears to have a specific oceanic distribution, principally correlated with water temperature and depth. The genome content provides hypotheses for specialization in terms of cell motility, food spectra, and trophic stages, including the potential impact on their lifestyles of horizontal gene transfer from prokaryotes. Our results support the idea that prominent heterotrophic marine protists perform diverse functions in ocean ecology.
Re-analysis of public genetic data reveals a rare X-chromosomal variant associated with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bonàs-Guarch Sílvia , Guindo-Martínez Marta , Miguel-Escalada Irene , Grarup Niels , Sebastian David , Rodriguez-Fos Elias , Sánchez Friman , Planas-Fèlix Mercè , Cortes-Sánchez Paula , González Santi , Timshel Pascal , Pers Tune H. , Morgan Claire C. , Moran Ignasi , Atla Goutham , González Juan R. , Puiggros Montserrat , Martí Jonathan , Andersson Ehm A. , Díaz Carlos , Badia Rosa M. , Udler Miriam , Leong Aaron , Kaur Varindepal , Flannick Jason , Jørgensen Torben , Linneberg Allan , Jørgensen Marit E. , Witte Daniel R. , Christensen Cramer , Brandslund Ivan , Appel Emil V. , Scott Robert A. , Luan Jian’an , Langenberg Claudia , Wareham Nicholas J. , Pedersen Oluf , Zorzano Antonio , Florez Jose C , Hansen Torben , Ferrer Jorge , Mercader Josep Maria , Torrents David
Published: January 2018

The reanalysis of existing GWAS data represents a powerful and cost-effective opportunity to gain insights into the genetics of complex diseases. By reanalyzing publicly available type 2 diabetes (T2D) genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data for 70,127 subjects, we identify seven novel associated regions, five driven by common variants (LYPLAL1, NEUROG3, CAMKK2, ABO, and GIP genes), one by a low-frequency (EHMT2), and one driven by a rare variant in chromosome Xq23, rs146662075, associated with a twofold increased risk for T2D in males. rs146662075 is located within an active enhancer associated with the expression of Angiotensin II Receptor type 2 gene (AGTR2), a modulator of insulin sensitivity, and exhibits allelic specific activity in muscle cells. Beyond providing insights into the genetics and pathophysiology of T2D, these results also underscore the value of reanalyzing publicly available data using novel genetic resources and analytical approaches.
Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 2-mediated lipid droplet production supports colorectal cancer chemoresistance
Authors: Cotte Alexia Karen , Aires Virginie , Fredon Maxime , Limagne Emeric , Derangère Valentin , Thibaudin Marion , Humblin Etienne , Scagliarini Alessandra , de Barros Jean-Paul Pais , Hillon Patrick , Ghiringhelli François , Delmas Dominique
Published: January 2018

Lipid droplet (LD) accumulation is a now well-recognised hallmark of cancer. However, the significance of LD accumulation in colorectal cancer (CRC) biology is incompletely understood under chemotherapeutic conditions. Since drug resistance is a major obstacle to treatment success, we sought to determine the contribution of LD accumulation to chemotherapy resistance in CRC. Here we show that LD content of CRC cells positively correlates with the expression of lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 2 (LPCAT2), an LD-localised enzyme supporting phosphatidylcholine synthesis. We also demonstrate that LD accumulation drives cell-death resistance to 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin treatments both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, LD accumulation impairs caspase cascade activation and ER stress responses. Notably, droplet accumulation is associated with a reduction in immunogenic cell death and CD8+ T cell infiltration in mouse tumour grafts and metastatic tumours of CRC patients. Collectively our findings highlight LPCAT2-mediated LD accumulation as a druggable mechanism to restore CRC cell sensitivity.
Ambient PM2.5 exposure and expected premature mortality to 2100 in India under climate change scenarios
Authors: Chowdhury Sourangsu , Dey Sagnik , Smith Kirk R.
Published: January 2018

Premature mortality from current ambient fine particulate (PM2.5) exposure in India is large, but the trend under climate change is unclear. Here we estimate ambient PM2.5 exposure up to 2100 by applying the relative changes in PM2.5 from baseline period (2001–2005) derived from Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project 5 (CMIP5) models to the satellite-derived baseline PM2.5. We then project the mortality burden using socioeconomic and demographic projections in the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios. Ambient PM2.5 exposure is expected to peak in 2030 under the RCP4.5 and in 2040 under the RCP8.5 scenario. Premature mortality burden is expected to be 2.4–4 and 28.5–38.8% higher under RCP8.5 scenario relative to the RCP4.5 scenario in 2031–2040 and 2091–2100, respectively. Improved health conditions due to economic growth are expected to compensate for the impact of changes in population and age distribution, leading to a reduction in per capita health burden from PM2.5 for all scenarios except the combination of RCP8.5 exposure and SSP3.
Fluid network dynamics in the prefrontal cortex during multiple strategy switching
Authors: Malagon-Vina Hugo , Ciocchi Stephane , Passecker Johannes , Dorffner Georg , Klausberger Thomas
Published: January 2018

Coordinated shifts of neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex are associated with strategy adaptations in behavioural tasks, when animals switch from following one rule to another. However, network dynamics related to multiple-rule changes are scarcely known. We show how firing rates of individual neurons in the prelimbic and cingulate cortex correlate with the performance of rats trained to change their navigation multiple times according to allocentric and egocentric strategies. The concerted population activity exhibits a stable firing during the performance of one rule but shifted to another neuronal firing state when a new rule is learnt. Interestingly, when the same rule is presented a second time within the same session, neuronal firing does not revert back to the original neuronal firing state, but a new activity-state is formed. Our data indicate that neuronal firing of prefrontal cortical neurons represents changes in strategy and task-performance rather than specific strategies or rules.
Publisher Correction: Identification and characterization of two functional variants in the human longevity gene FOXO3
Authors: Flachsbart Friederike , Dose Janina , Gentschew Liljana , Geismann Claudia , Caliebe Amke , Knecht Carolin , Nygaard Marianne , Badarinarayan Nandini , ElSharawy Abdou , May Sandra , Luzius Anne , Torres Guillermo G. , Jentzsch Marlene , Forster Michael , Häsler Robert , Pallauf Kathrin , Lieb Wolfgang , Derbois Céline , Galan Pilar , Drichel Dmitriy , Arlt Alexander , Till Andreas , Krause-Kyora Ben , Rimbach Gerald , Blanché Hélène , Deleuze Jean-François , Christiansen Lene , Christensen Kaare , Nothnagel Michael , Rosenstiel Philip , Schreiber Stefan , Franke Andre , Sebens Susanne , Nebel Almut
Published: January 2018

The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Robert Häsler, which was incorrectly given as Robert Häesler. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Single crystal elasticity of natural topaz at high-temperatures
Authors: Tennakoon Sumudu , Peng Ye , Mookherjee Mainak , Speziale Sergio , Manthilake Geeth , Besara Tiglet , Andreu Luis , Rivera Fernando
Published: January 2018

Topaz is an aluminosilicate mineral phase stable in the hydrothermally altered pegmatitic rocks and also in subducted sedimentary lithologies. In nature, topaz often exhibits solid solution between fluorine and hydrous end members. We investigated elasticity of naturally occurring single crystal topaz (Al2SiO4F1.42(OH)0.58) using Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy. We also explored the temperature dependence of the full elastic constant tensor. We find that among the various minerals stable in the Al2O3-SiO2-H2O ternary system, topaz exhibits moderate elastic anisotropy. As a function of temperature, the sound velocity of topaz decreases with $$\frac{{\boldsymbol{d}}{{\boldsymbol{V}}}_{{\boldsymbol{P}}}}{{\boldsymbol{d}}{\boldsymbol{T}}}$$

d

V

P

d
T

and $$\frac{{\boldsymbol{d}}{{\boldsymbol{V}}}_{{\boldsymbol{S}}}}{{\boldsymbol{d}}{\boldsymbol{T}}}$$

d

V

S

d
T

being −3.10 and −2.30 × 10−4 km/s/K. The elasticity and sound velocity of topaz also vary as a function of OH and F content. The effect of composition ($${{\boldsymbol{x}}}_{{\boldsymbol{O}}{\boldsymbol{H}}}$$

x

O
H

) on the velocity is equally important as that of the effect of temperature. We also note that the Debye temperature ($${{\boldsymbol{\Theta }}}_{{\boldsymbol{D}}}$$

Θ

D

) of topaz at room temperature condition is 910 K and decreases at higher temperature. The Debye temperature shows positive correlation with density of the mineral phases in the Al2O3-SiO2-H2O ternary system.
Absolute spectroscopy near 7.8 μm with a comb-locked extended-cavity quantum-cascade-laser
Authors: Lamperti Marco , AlSaif Bidoor , Gatti Davide , Fermann Martin , Laporta Paolo , Farooq Aamir , Marangoni Marco
Published: January 2018

We report for the first time the frequency locking of an extended-cavity quantum-cascade-laser (EC-QCL) to a near-infrared frequency comb. The locked laser source is exploited to carry out molecular spectroscopy around 7.8 μm with a line-centre frequency combined uncertainty of ~63 kHz. The strength of the approach, in view of an accurate retrieval of line centre frequencies over a spectral range as large as 100 cm−1, is demonstrated on the P(40), P(18) and R(31) lines of the fundamental rovibrational band of N2O covering the centre and edges of the P and R branches. The spectrometer has the potential to be straightforwardly extended to other spectral ranges, till 12 μm, which is the current wavelength limit for commercial cw EC-QCLs.
Maternal whole blood cell miRNA-340 is elevated in gestational diabetes and inversely regulated by glucose and insulin
Authors: Stirm Laura , Huypens Peter , Sass Steffen , Batra Richa , Fritsche Louise , Brucker Sara , Abele Harald , Hennige Anita M. , Theis Fabian , Beckers Johannes , Hrabě de Angelis Martin , Fritsche Andreas , Häring Hans-Ulrich , Staiger Harald
Published: January 2018

The number of pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes (GDM) is increasing worldwide. To identify novel characteristics of GDM, we studied miRNA profiles of maternal and fetal whole blood cells (WBCs) from GDM and normal glucose tolerant (NGT) pregnant women matched for body mass index and maternal age. After adjustment for maternal weight gain and pregnancy week, we identified 29 mature micro-RNAs (miRNAs) up-regulated in GDM, one of which, i.e., miRNA-340, was validated by qPCR. mRNA and protein expression of PAIP1, a miRNA-340 target gene, was found down-regulated in GDM women, accordingly. In lymphocytes derived from the mothers’ blood and treated in vitro, insulin increased and glucose reduced miRNA-340 expression. In fetal cord blood samples, no associations of miRNA-340 with maternal GDM were observed. Our results provide evidence for insulin-induced epigenetic, i.e., miRNA-dependent, programming of maternal WBCs in GDM.
High geothermal heat flux in close proximity to the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream
Authors: Rysgaard Søren , Bendtsen Jørgen , Mortensen John , Sejr Mikael K.
Published: January 2018

The Greenland ice sheet (GIS) is losing mass at an increasing rate due to surface melt and flow acceleration in outlet glaciers. Currently, there is a large disagreement between observed and simulated ice flow, which may arise from inaccurate parameterization of basal motion, subglacial hydrology or geothermal heat sources. Recently it was suggested that there may be a hidden heat source beneath GIS caused by a higher than expected geothermal heat flux (GHF) from the Earth’s interior. Here we present the first direct measurements of GHF from beneath a deep fjord basin in Northeast Greenland. Temperature and salinity time series (2005–2015) in the deep stagnant basin water are used to quantify a GHF of 93 ± 21 mW m−2 which confirm previous indirect estimated values below GIS. A compilation of heat flux recordings from Greenland show the existence of geothermal heat sources beneath GIS and could explain high glacial ice speed areas such as the Northeast Greenland ice stream.
Tuning bandgap and surface wettability of NiFe2O4 driven by phase transition
Authors: Tong Sheng-Kai , Chi Po-Wei , Kung Shu-Hsiang , Wei Da-Hua
Published: January 2018

Stress variation induced bandgap tuning and surface wettability switching of spinel nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4, NFO) films were demonstrated and directly driven by phase transition via a post-annealing process. Firstly, the as-deposited NFO films showed hydrophilic surface with water contact angle (CA) value of 80 ± 1°. After post-annealing with designed temperatures ranged from 400 to 700 °C in air ambience for 1 hour, we observed that the crystal structure was clearly improved from amorphous-like/ nanocrystalline to polycrystalline with increasing post-annealing temperature and this phenomenon is attributed to the improved crystallinity combined with relaxation of internal stress. Moreover, super-hydrophilic surface (CA = 14 ± 1°) was occurred due to the remarkable grain structure transition. The surface wettability could be adjusted from hydrophilicity to super-hydrophilicity by controlling grain morphology of NFO films. Simultaneously, the saturation magnetization (Ms) values of NFO films at room temperature increased up to 273 emu/cm3 accompanied with transitions of the phase and grain structure. We also observed an exceptionally tunable bandgap of NFO in the range between 1.78 and 2.72 eV under phase transition driving. Meanwhile, our work demonstrates that direct grain morphology combined with the stress tuning can strongly modulate the optical, surface and magnetic characteristics in multifunctional NFO films.
Kinin-B1 Receptor Stimulation Promotes Invasion and is Involved in Cell-Cell Interaction of Co-Cultured Glioblastoma and Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Oliveira Mona N. , Pillat Micheli M. , Motaln Helena , Ulrich Henning , Lah Tamara T.
Published: January 2018

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents the most lethal brain tumour, and these tumours have very limited treatment options. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are considered as candidates for advanced cell therapies, due to their tropism towards GBM, possibly affecting their malignancy, thus also representing a potential therapeutic vector. Therefore, we aimed to compare the effects of bone-marrow-derived versus adipose-tissue-derived MSC (BM-/AT-MSC) on heterogeneous populations of tumour cells. This cells’ interplay was addressed by the in-vitro two-dimensional (monolayer) and three-dimensional (spheroid) co-culture models, using U87 and U373 GBM cell lines, expressing genotypically different mesenchymal transcriptome profiles. U87 cell low mesenchymal profile expressed high levels of kinin receptor 1 (B1R) and their invasion was greatly enhanced by the B1R agonist des-Arg9-bradykinin upon BM-MSC co-culturing in 3D co-cultures. This correlated to significantly higher cell-cell interactions in U87/BM-MSC mixed spheroids. This was not observed with the U373 cells and not in AT-MSC co-cultures. Altogether, these data support the on-going exploration of B1R as target for adjuvant approach in GBM therapy. Secondly, the results emphasize the need for further careful exploration of the selectivity regarding the origin of MSC as potential candidates for cell therapies, particular in cancer, where they may adversely affect heterogeneous tumour cell populations.
Investigation of Candida parapsilosis virulence regulatory factors during host-pathogen interaction
Authors: Tóth Renáta , Cabral Vitor , Thuer Ernst , Bohner Flóra , Németh Tibor , Papp Csaba , Nimrichter Leonardo , Molnár Gergő , Vágvölgyi Csaba , Gabaldón Toni , Nosanchuk Joshua D. , Gácser Attila
Published: January 2018

Invasive candidiasis is among the most life-threatening infections in patients in intensive care units. Although Candida albicans is the leading cause of candidaemia, the incidence of Candida parapsilosis infections is also rising, particularly among the neonates. Due to differences in their biology, these species employ different antifungal resistance and virulence mechanisms and also induce dissimilar immune responses. Previously, it has been suggested that core virulence effecting transcription regulators could be attractive ligands for future antifungal drugs. Although the virulence regulatory mechanisms of C. albicans are well studied, less is known about similar mechanisms in C. parapsilosis. In order to search for potential targets for future antifungal drugs against this species, we analyzed the fungal transcriptome during host-pathogen interaction using an in vitro infection model. Selected genes with high expression levels were further examined through their respective null mutant strains, under conditions that mimic the host environment or influence pathogenicity. As a result, we identified several mutants with relevant pathogenicity affecting phenotypes. During the study we highlight three potentially tractable signaling regulators that influence C. parapsilosis pathogenicity in distinct mechanisms. During infection, CPAR2_100540 is responsible for nutrient acquisition, CPAR2_200390 for cell wall assembly and morphology switching and CPAR2_303700 for fungal viability.
Radiographic Knee Osteoarthritis and Knee Pain: Cross-sectional study from Five Different Racial/Ethnic Populations
Authors: Wang Ke , Kim Hyun A. , Felson David T. , Xu Ling , Kim Dong H. , Nevitt Michael C. , Yoshimura Noriko , Kawaguchi Hiroshi , Lin Jianhao , Kang Xiaozheng , Zhang Yuqing
Published: January 2018

The weak correlation between pain and structural changes in knee osteoarthritis is widely reported. In a previous within-person, knee-matched case-control study among Caucasians, the severity of radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA) was strongly associated with both the presence of frequent knee pain and pain severity. We studied the association between ROA and knee pain in five racial/ethnic populations by using the same method. Subjects were selected from China; Japan; Korea and the United States. Among subjects with knees discordant for either frequent knee pain or pain severity, we examined the relationship between ROA and the presence of frequent knee pain using conditional logistic regression, and between ROA and pain severity using a stratified proportional odds model with an amalgamating conditional likelihood. In total, 252 urban Chinese, 221 rural Chinese, 297 Japanese, 122 Korean, 1,735 Caucasian, and 394 African-American patients were included. There was a strong dose-response relationship between the severity of ROA and the prevalence of frequent knee pain in all five racial/ethnic populations. Even mild ROA was significantly associated with frequent knee pain. In addition, ROA was also strongly associated with the severity of knee pain. These results show that structural pathology is associated with knee pain in different ethnic populations.
Anaerobic methanotrophic communities thrive in deep submarine permafrost
Authors: Winkel Matthias , Mitzscherling Julia , Overduin Pier P. , Horn Fabian , Winterfeld Maria , Rijkers Ruud , Grigoriev Mikhail N. , Knoblauch Christian , Mangelsdorf Kai , Wagner Dirk , Liebner Susanne
Published: January 2018

Thawing submarine permafrost is a source of methane to the subsurface biosphere. Methane oxidation in submarine permafrost sediments has been proposed, but the responsible microorganisms remain uncharacterized. We analyzed archaeal communities and identified distinct anaerobic methanotrophic assemblages of marine and terrestrial origin (ANME-2a/b, ANME-2d) both in frozen and completely thawed submarine permafrost sediments. Besides archaea potentially involved in anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) we found a large diversity of archaea mainly belonging toBathyarchaeota,Thaumarchaeota, andEuryarchaeota. Methane concentrations and δ13C-methane signatures distinguish horizons of potential AOM coupled either to sulfate reduction in a sulfate-methane transition zone (SMTZ) or to the reduction of other electron acceptors, such as iron, manganese or nitrate. Analysis of functional marker genes (mcrA) and fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH) corroborate potential activity of AOM communities in submarine permafrost sediments at low temperatures. Modeled potential AOM consumes 72–100% of submarine permafrost methane and up to 1.2 Tg of carbon per year for the total expected area of submarine permafrost. This is comparable with AOM habitats such as cold seeps. We thus propose that AOM is active where submarine permafrost thaws, which should be included in global methane budgets.
Enhanced Ductility of PEEK thin film with self-assembled fibre-like crystals
Authors: Wang Yuan , Chen Binling , Evans Ken , Ghita Oana
Published: January 2018

Poly Ether Ether Ketone (PEEK) is a high temperature polymer material known for its excellent chemical resistance, high strength and toughness. As a semi-crystalline polymer, PEEK can become very brittle during long crystallisation times and temperatures helped as well by its high content of rigid benzene rings within its chemical structure. This paper presents a simple quench crystallization method for preparation of PEEK thin films with the formation of a novel fibre-like crystal structure on the surface of the films. These quenched crystallised films show higher elongation at break when compared with conventional melt crystallised thin films incorporating spherulitic crystals, while the tensile strength of both types of films (quenched crystallised and conventional melt) remained the same. The fracture analysis carried out using microscopy revealed an interesting microstructure which evolves as a function of annealing time. Based on these results, a crystal growth mechanism describing the development of the fibre-like crystals on the surface of the quenched crystallised films is proposed.
The high molecular weight dipeptidyl peptidase IV Pol d 3 is a major allergen of Polistes dominula venom
Authors: Schiener Maximilian , Hilger Christiane , Eberlein Bernadette , Pascal Mariona , Kuehn Annette , Revets Dominique , Planchon Sébastien , Pietsch Gunilla , Serrano Pilar , Moreno-Aguilar Carmen , de la Roca Federico , Biedermann Tilo , Darsow Ulf , Schmidt-Weber Carsten B. , Ollert Markus , Blank Simon
Published: January 2018

Hymenoptera venom allergy can cause severe anaphylaxis in untreated patients. Polistes dominula is an important elicitor of venom allergy in Southern Europe as well as in the United States. Due to its increased spreading to more moderate climate zones, Polistes venom allergy is likely to gain importance also in these areas. So far, only few allergens of Polistes dominula venom were identified as basis for component-resolved diagnostics. Therefore, this study aimed to broaden the available panel of important Polistes venom allergens. The 100 kDa allergen Pol d 3 was identified by mass spectrometry and found to be a dipeptidyl peptidase IV. Recombinantly produced Pol d 3 exhibited sIgE-reactivity with approximately 66% of Polistes venom-sensitized patients. Moreover, its clinical relevance was supported by the potent activation of basophils from allergic patients. Cross-reactivity with the dipeptidyl peptidases IV from honeybee and yellow jacket venom suggests the presence of exclusive as well as conserved IgE epitopes. The obtained data suggest a pivotal role of Pol d 3 as sensitizing component of Polistes venom, thus supporting its status as a major allergen of clinical relevance. Therefore, Pol d 3 might become a key element for proper diagnosis of Polistes venom allergy.
Nature of the low magnetization decay on stacks of second generation superconducting tapes under crossed and rotating magnetic field experiments
Authors: Baghdadi Mehdi , Ruiz Harold S. , Coombs Timothy A.
Published: January 2018

The extremely low decay factor on the trapped magnetic field by stacks of second-generation high-temperature superconducting tapes reported in Appl. Phys. Lett. 104, 232602 (2014), is in apparent contradiction with the classical results for the demagnetization of superconducting bulks and thin films, where the samples undergo a severe and progressive decay under crossed magnetic field conditions. Nevertheless, in this paper, we demonstrate how the theoretical approaches and experimental measurements on superconducting bulks, thin films, and stacks of superconducting tapes can be reconciled, not only under the crossed field configuration but also under rotating magnetic field conditions, by showing that the stacks of commercial tapes behave as a system of electrically unconnected layers preventing the deformation of profiles of current along its external contour. This study extends up to the consideration of using novel superconducting/ferromagnetic metastructures, where soft ferromagnetic films are interlayered, reporting a further reduction on the magnetization decay of about 50% in the crossed field configuration. Remarkably, after applying the same number of cycles either of rotating or crossed magnetic field to these metastructures, the difference between the magnetization decay is found to be negligible, what demonstrates their highly superior performance when compared to conventional stacks of superconducting tapes.
Homeolog expression analysis in an allotriploid non-model crop via integration of transcriptomics and proteomics
Authors: van Wesemael Jelle , Hueber Yann , Kissel Ewaut , Campos Nádia , Swennen Rony , Carpentier Sebastien
Published: January 2018

The fate of doubled genes, from allopolyploid or autopolyploid origin, is controlled at multiple levels, resulting in the modern day cultivars. We studied the root growth of 3 different triploid banana cultivars under control and osmotic stress conditions. The root growth of the allopolyploid ABB cultivar was 42% higher under control and 61% higher under osmotic stress. By integrating transcriptomics and proteomics, we studied the gene expression of all 3 cultivars, resulting in 2,749 identified root proteins. 383 gene loci displayed genotype specific differential expression whereof 252 showed at least one Single Amino Acid Polymorphism (SAAP). In the ABB cultivar, allele expressions supposedly follow a 1/3 and 2/3 pattern for respectively the A and the B allele. Using transcriptome read alignment to assess the homeoallelic contribution we found that 63% of the allele specific genes deviated from this expectation. 32 gene loci even did not express the A allele. The identified ABB allele- specific proteins correlate well with the observed growth phenotype as they are enriched in energy related functions such as ATP metabolic processes, nicotinamide nucleotide metabolic processes, and glycolysis.
Association between H-type Hypertension and Asymptomatic Extracranial Artery Stenosis
Authors: Zhang Jia , Liu Yanfang , Wang Anxin , Wang Dandan , Jiang Ruixuan , Jia Jiaokun , Chen Shengyun , Zhao Xingquan
Published: January 2018

Asymptomatic extracranial artery stenosis (ECAS) is a well-known risk factor for stroke and H-type hypertension, which is defined as hypertension with hyperhomocysteinemia, is associated with cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. However, the impact of H-type hypertension on ECAS is mostly unknown. We designed this study to investigate the association between H-type hypertension and prevalence of ECAS. We included 2330 participants in this study and classified them into four groups: the control group without hypertension or hyperhomocysteinemia, isolated hypertension group, isolated hyperhomocysteinemia group and H-type hypertension group. We measured the baseline plasma total homocysteine levels and assessed ECAS by carotid duplex sonography twice at baseline and during follow up. We used a Cox regression model to analyse the association between H-type hypertension and ECAS. At baseline, 608 subjects suffered from H-type hypertension. Within two years of follow-up, asymptomatic ECAS occurred in 250 (10.73%) participants. After adjusting for relevant risk factors, we found H-type hypertension to be an independent risk factor for asymptomatic ECAS (relative risk (RR) 3.16, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.00–5.00). Our findings provide direct evidence for the importance of H-type hypertension in the occurrence of ECAS and as a potential therapeutic target for carotid atherosclerosis.
Grazing and climate effects on soil organic carbon concentration and particle-size association in northern grasslands
Authors: Hewins Daniel B. , Lyseng Mark P. , Schoderbek Donald F. , Alexander Mike , Willms Walter D. , Carlyle Cameron N. , Chang Scott X. , Bork Edward W.
Published: January 2018

Grasslands cover more than 40% of the terrestrial surface of Earth and provide a range of ecological goods and services, including serving as one of the largest reservoirs for terrestrial carbon. An understanding of how livestock grazing, influences grassland soil organic carbon (SOC), including its concentration, vertical distribution and association among soil-particle sizes is unclear. We quantified SOC concentrations in the upper 30 cm of mineral soil, together with SOC particle-size association, within 108 pairs of long-term grazed and non-grazed grassland study sites spanning six distinct climate subregions across a 5.7 M ha area of Alberta, Canada. Moderate grazing enhanced SOC concentration by 12% in the upper 15 cm of soil. Moreover, SOC concentrations in mineral layers were associated with regional climate, such that SOC increased from dry to mesic subregions. Our results also indicate that C concentrations in each of 2000–250, 250–53, < 53 μm soil particle-size fractions were consistent with total SOC concentrations, increasing from semi-arid to more mesic subregions. We conclude that long-term livestock grazing may enhance SOC concentrations in shallow mineral soil and affirm that climate rather than grazing is the key modulator of soil C storage across northern grasslands.
Inverse-Designed Broadband All-Dielectric Electromagnetic Metadevices
Authors: Callewaert F. , Velev V. , Kumar P. , Sahakian A. V. , Aydin K.
Published: January 2018

This paper presents a platform combining an inverse electromagnetic design computational method with additive manufacturing to design and fabricate all-dielectric metadevices. As opposed to conventional flat metasurface-based devices that are composed of resonant building blocks resulting in narrow band operation, the proposed design approach creates non-resonant, broadband (Δλ/λ up to >50%) metadevices based on low-index dielectric materials. High-efficiency (transmission >60%), thin (≤2λ) metadevices capable of polarization splitting, beam bending, and focusing are proposed. Experimental demonstrations are performed at millimeter-wave frequencies using 3D-printed devices. The proposed platform can be readily applied to the design and fabrication of electromagnetic and photonic metadevices spanning microwave to optical frequencies.