bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GaAs/AlGaAs potential well barrier diodes: Novel diode for detector and mixer applications
Authors: Akura Mise , Dunn Geoffrey , Sexton James , Missous Mohamed
Published: July 2017

Heterostructure potential well barrier (PWB) diodes in GaAs/AlGaAs system operating in a similar way to Planar Doped Barrier (PDB) diodes, though exploiting a potential well to trap charge, rather than a fixed doping spike have recently been realized and reported in the literature. This paper analyses the complex operation of these devices and determines the sensitivity of the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics to various design parameters. The PWB diode displays a significant temperature sensitivity, opposite in nature to PDB temperature dependence, and this suggests the possibility of temperature stabilised hybrid designs. The active bias dependence nature of charge within the well is found to have a significant effect on the device and impacts the ideality factor, which is more bias dependent than other comparable devices such as PDBs. However, the same mechanism offers the prospect of improvement in the current asymmetry and this effect can be greatly improved upon by changing the design and shape of the potential well.
Concise Review: A Safety Assessment of Adipose-Derived Cell Therapy in Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review of Reported Adverse Events
Authors: Toyserkani Navid Mohamadpour , Jørgensen Mads Gustaf , Tabatabaeifar Siavosh , Jensen Charlotte Harken , Sheikh Søren Paludan , Sørensen Jens Ahm
Published: July 2017

The popularity of adipose-derived cell therapy has increased over the last decade, and the number of studies published annually is growing. However, concerns regarding safety in the setting of previous malignancy or the use of allogeneic cells have been raised. We therefore aimed to systematically review all clinical studies using adipose-derived cell therapy to identify reported adverse events with a special focus on risk of thromboembolic, immunological, and oncological safety concerns. Our systematic search resulted in 70 included studies involving more than 1,400 patients that were treated with adipose-derived cell therapy. Safety assessment method was not described in 32 of the included studies. For studies involving systemic or cardiac administration, one case of pulmonary thromboembolism and cases of both myocardial and cerebral infarctions were described. In the setting of allogeneic cell therapy studies, where the production of specific antibodies toward donor cells was examined, it was noted that 19%–34% of patients develop antibodies, but the consequence of this is unknown. With regard to oncological safety, only one case of breast cancer recurrence was identified out of 121 patients. Adipose-derived cell therapy has so far shown a favorable safety profile, but safety assessment description has, in general, been of poor quality, and only adverse events that are looked for will be found. We encourage future studies to maintain a strong focus on the safety profile of cell therapy, so its safeness can be confirmed.
Auramine O, an incense smoke ingredient, promotes lung cancer malignancy
Authors: Tung Jia‐Chen , Huang Wei‐Chien , Yang Juan‐Cheng , Chen Guan‐Yu , Fan Chi‐Chen , Chien Yu‐Chuan , Lin Pei‐Shan , Candice Lung Shih‐Chun , Chang Wei‐Chao
Published: July 2017

Burning incense to worship deities is a popular religious ritual in large parts of Asia, and is a popular custom affecting more than 1.5 billion adherents. Due to incomplete combustion, burning incense has been well recognized to generate airborne hazards to human health. However, the correlation between burning incense and lung cancer in epidemiological studies remains controversy. Therefore, we speculated that some unknown materials in incense smoke are involved in the initiation or progression of lung cancer. Based on this hypothesis, we identified a major compound auramine O (AuO) from the water‐soluble fraction of incense burned condensate using mass spectrometry. AuO is commonly used in incense manufacture as a colorant. Due to thermostable, AuO released from burned incenses becomes an unexpected air pollutant. AuO is classified as a Group 2B chemical by the International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC), however, the damage of AuO to the respiratory system remains elusive. Our study revealed that AuO has no apparent effect on malignant transformation; but, it dramatically promotes lung cancer malignancy. AuO accumulates in the nucleus and induces the autophagy activity in lung tumor cells. AuO significantly enhances migration and invasive abilities and the in vitro and in vivo stemness features of lung tumor cells through activating the expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase family 1 member A1 (ALDH1A1), and ALDH1A1 knockdown attenuates AuO‐induced autophagy activity and blocks AuO‐induced lung tumor malignancy. In conclusion, we found that AuO, an ingredient of incense smoke, significantly increases the metastatic abilities and stemness characters of lung tumor cells through the activation of ALDH1A1, which is known to be associated with poor outcome and progression of lung cancer. For public health, reducing or avoiding the use of AuO in incense is recommended.
Association of Vagotomy and Decreased Risk of Subsequent Ischemic Stroke in Complicated Peptic Ulcer Patients: an Asian Population Study
Authors: Fang Chu‐Wen , Tseng Chun‐Hung , Wu Shih‐Chi , Chen William Tzu‐Liang , Muo Chih‐Hsin
Published: July 2017

Objectives

The primary management of peptic ulcers is medical treatment. Persistent exacerbation of a peptic ulcer may lead to complications (perforation and/or bleeding). There has been a trend toward the use of a less invasive surgical simple suture, simple local suture or non‐operative (endoscopic/angiography) hemostasis rather than acid‐reducing vagotomy (i.e., vagus nerve severance) for treating complicated peptic ulcers. Other studies have shown the relationship between high vagus nerve activity and survival in cancer patients via reduced levels of inflammation, indicating the essential role of the vagus nerve. We were interested in the role of the vagus nerve and attempted to assess the long‐term systemic effects after vagus nerve severance. Complicated peptic ulcer patients who underwent truncal vagotomy may represent an appropriate study population for investigating the association between vagus nerve severance and long‐term effects. Therefore, we assessed the risks of subsequent ischemic stroke using different treatment methods in complicated peptic ulcer patients who underwent simple suture/hemostasis or truncal vagotomy/pyloroplasty.

Methods

We selected 299,742 peptic ulcer patients without a history of stroke and Helicobacter pylori infection and an additional 299,742 matched controls without ulcer, stroke, and Helicobacter pylori infection from the National Health Insurance database. The controls were frequency matched for age, gender, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score, hypertension, hyperlipidemia history, and index year. Then, we measured the incidence of overall ischemic stroke in the two cohorts. The hazard ratio (HR) and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by Cox proportional hazard regression.

Results

Compared to the controls, peptic ulcer patients had a 1.86‐fold higher risk of ischemic stroke. There were similar results in gender, age, CCI, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia stratified analyses. In complicated peptic ulcer patients, those who received truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty had a lower risk of ischemic stroke than patients who received simple suture/hemostasis (HR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.60–0.81).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that patients with peptic ulcers have an elevated risk of subsequent ischemic stroke. Moreover, there were associations between vagotomy and a decreased risk of subsequent ischemic stroke in complicated peptic ulcer patients.
Corporate governance and firm value at dual class firms
Authors: Li Ting , Zaiats Nataliya
Published: July 2017

This study explores whether corporate governance at dual class firms differs from that of their single class counterparts and whether firm value at dual class firms is associated with governance. Employing a sample of 1309 U.S. dual class firm‐year observations for the period 1996–2006, we show evidence that dual class firms are more likely to employ more shareholder rights provisions while exhibiting lower board and board committee independence than single class firms. The results also show that shareholder rights increase while board provisions decrease in wedge at dual class firms. Further findings underscore that firm value at dual class firms decreases in wedge, and increases in shareholder rights and in board‐related provisions, particularly in director independence. While strong board‐related governance at dual class firms is significantly positively related to firm value in a multivariate setting, shareholder rights are significantly associated with firm value only in instances of the weakest board provisions. Following unification, firms employ more antitakeover provisions while strengthening their board and board committee independence.
War beyond Words
Authors: Winter Jay
Published: July 2017

What we know of war is always mediated knowledge and feeling. We need lenses to filter out some of its blinding, terrifying light. These lenses are not fixed; they change over time, and Jay Winter's panoramic history of war and memory offers an unprecedented study of transformations in our imaginings of war, from 1914 to the present. He reveals the ways in which different creative arts have framed our meditations on war, from painting and sculpture to photography, film and poetry, and ultimately to silence, as a language of memory in its own right. He shows how these highly mediated images of war, in turn, circulate through language to constitute our 'cultural memory' of war. This is a major contribution to our understanding of the diverse ways in which men and women have wrestled with the intractable task of conveying what twentieth-century wars meant to them and mean to us.
THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF LOCAL AND CONVENTIONAL FOOD SALES
Authors: ROSSI JAMES D. , JOHNSON THOMAS G. , HENDRICKSON MARY
Published: July 2017

Local food systems are frequently touted as economic development strategies for rural communities. In this study, we estimated the local economic impacts of local compared with conventionally produced and marketed food in two regions of Missouri and one region in Nebraska. We found that local food systems generated substantial increases in value added for their local economies.
Complexities of Efficiency Reform: The Case of Simplified Spelling, 1876–1921
Authors: Ogren Christine A.
Published: July 2017

Progressive Era advocates of spelling reform argued that adopting “simplified” word forms would increase the efficiency of American schools. National education leaders and administrators sustained the movement as they discussed simplified spelling extensively in meetings of the National Education Association and state teachers’ associations as well as in education journals. While emphasizing saving money and time, their arguments for spelling reform also infused social justice into social efficiency, and efficiency into child-centered pedagogy. Although leaders saw schoolteachers as the torchbearers for simplified spelling, teachers’ subtle resistance undermined the movement. Teachers and the few administrators who opposed spelling reform occasionally voiced objections to efficiency itself, but their concerns about public scrutiny most influenced their opposition and thus the movement's ultimate demise. This examination of the public education sector's relationship to the simplified spelling movement illustrates the complexity of education leaders’ relationship with efficiency as well as their vulnerability to teacher resistance and public censure.
The Case for Cleaning House: Sidney Hook and the Ethics of Academic Freedom during the McCarthy Era
Authors: Nemeth Julian
Published: July 2017

Sidney Hook set the terms of debate on Communism, higher education, and academic freedom in the postwar United States. His view that Communists lacked the independence necessary for teaching and research—a view forged in the heated debates of New York City's radical left in the 1930s—provided the rationale for firing Communist professors across the country in the late 1940s and 1950s. Relying on close readings of underutilized archival sources, this article explores the development of Hook's thinking, charts his impact on key players in the period's higher education establishment (such as philosopher John Dewey and the American Association of University Professors), and outlines the way his writings helped lead to faculty dismissals at the University of Washington and New York University. The article also highlights the work of students and professors who challenged Hook's anti-Communist position, revealing a rich and often neglected mid-century discourse on academic freedom.
Metabotyping and its application in targeted nutrition: an overview
Authors: Riedl Anna , Gieger Christian , Hauner Hans , Daniel Hannelore , Linseisen Jakob
Published: July 2017

Metabolic diversity leads to differences in nutrient requirements and responses to diet and medication between individuals. Using the concept of metabotyping – that is, grouping metabolically similar individuals – tailored and more efficient recommendations may be achieved. The aim of this study was to review the current literature on metabotyping and to explore its potential for better targeted dietary intervention in subjects with and without metabolic diseases. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Google and Google Scholar to find relevant articles on metabotyping in humans including healthy individuals, population-based samples and patients with chronic metabolic diseases. A total of thirty-four research articles on human studies were identified, which established more homogeneous subgroups of individuals using statistical methods for analysing metabolic data. Differences between studies were found with respect to the samples/populations studied, the clustering variables used, the statistical methods applied and the metabotypes defined. According to the number and type of the selected clustering variables, the definitions of metabotypes differed substantially; they ranged between general fasting metabotypes, more specific fasting parameter subgroups like plasma lipoprotein or fatty acid clusters and response groups to defined meal challenges or dietary interventions. This demonstrates that the term ‘metabotype’ has a subjective usage, calling for a formalised definition. In conclusion, this literature review shows that metabotyping can help identify subgroups of individuals responding differently to defined nutritional interventions. Targeted recommendations may be given at such metabotype group levels. Future studies should develop and validate definitions of generally valid metabotypes by exploiting the increasingly available metabolomics data sets.
Human papillomavirus tumour status is not associated with a positive depression screen for patients with oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Qualliotine J R , Califano J A , Li R J , Gold D , Messing B , Lee G , Ha P , Fakhry C
Published: July 2017

Background:

Several risk factors for depression in patients with oropharyngeal cancer have been determined. However, it is unknown whether human papillomavirus associated oropharyngeal cancer, which has a distinct clinico-demographic profile, modulates this risk.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients with oropharyngeal cancer. These patients had completed a 10-item depression screening questionnaire before receiving treatment for their disease from 2011 to 2014. Associations between patient or disease characteristics and depression screening questionnaire results were investigated.

Results:

The study comprised 69 patients, 31 (44.9 per cent) of whom screened positive for depression. There were no significant differences in distributions of clinico-demographic or histopathological characteristics, including human papillomavirus tumour status, by depression screen result.

Conclusion:

This population has a high risk for depression, but no obvious risk factors, including human papillomavirus tumour status, were associated with an elevated risk. This inability to risk-stratify patients by clinico-demographic or disease characteristics emphasises the importance of regular depression screening for all patients in this population.
The use of Fourier analysis as a tool for Oblada melanura (Linnaeus, 1758) stock unit separation in the south central Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Barhoumi Manel , Khoufi Widien , Kalai Sawssen , Ouerhani Anissa , Essayed Sabrine , Zaier Ghada , Jaziri Héla , Ben Meriem Sadok , Fehri-Bedoui Rafika
Published: July 2017

For the first time, an otolith shape analysis was used to investigate the stocks of saddled bream (Oblada melanura, Linnaeus, 1758) in three fishing zones along the Tunisian coast (Bizerte, Kélibia and Sayada). Otolith shape analysis was used on 30 otoliths for each site, sampled during the spawning period. Using elliptic Fourier descriptors (EFD) the quantization of the shape otolith was investigated by SHAPE and multivariate statistical procedures. Considering the environmental and the genotypic aspects, the preliminary results of the otolith shape analysis showed dissimilarity in silhouette of otoliths of saddled bream stocks collected from the north (Bizerte), the north-east (Kélibia) and the east (Sayada) of the Tunisian coast. Therefore, these three groups could be considered as three sub-units of the Tunisian stock, which should be managed separately.
Diet and feeding strategy of the forkbeard Phycis phycis (Pisces: Phycidae) from the Portuguese continental coast
Authors: Silva Ana Rita , Vieira Ana Rita , Sequeira Vera , Paiva Rafaela Barros , Gordo Leonel Serrano , Neves Ana
Published: July 2017

The diet and feeding behaviour of the forkbeard Phycis phycis was studied based on 246 stomachs collected between May 2011 and April 2012 from a commercial fleet operating off the central west coast of Portugal. A total of 44 prey items were identified in the stomachs which were merged into major groups to avoid problems with low expected frequencies. The following taxonomic categories were considered: non-decapod Crustacea, Caridea, Anomura, Munida spp., Processa spp., Brachyura, Pisces, Trisopterus luscus. In order to investigate possible diet differences between fish size classes, a cluster analysis was performed using the mean abundance of each prey group by forkbeard 5 cm length class, and three length groups (LG) were obtained: <22.5, 27.5–37.5 and >42.5 cm. Seasonally, Caridea was the main prey group during winter and autumn while Pisces was predominant during the rest of the year. Caridea was the most important prey group for LG1 and LG2 while in LG3 Pisces was the principal one. The forkbeard feeding behaviour may be characterized as presenting a shift pattern from a more generalist diet (small Crustacea, mainly Caridea) in the young adults to a more specialist strategy (teleosts) in the adults.
The intimate lives of older adults living with HIV: a qualitative study of the challenges associated with the intersection of HIV and ageing
Authors: WALLACH ISABELLE , BROTMAN SHARI
Published: July 2017

Older adults living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at risk of experiencing difficulties in their intimate lives due to the combined effects of HIV and ageing. To date, little research has focused on the lived experience of sexuality. This article seeks to fill in the gap by documenting the challenges faced by this population with respect to their intimate relationships and sexual lives. Based upon the results of a qualitative study conducted in Montreal (2010–2012) using semi-structured interviews with a diverse sample of 38 people aged 50–73 and living with HIV, this study revealed several difficulties, including those related to their social location, whereby HIV and ageing intersect with other social determinants (including gender, sexual orientation and drug use). Difficulties that were identified include lower sexual desire linked to ageing, erectile changes, difficulty in using condoms, stigma related to HIV and/or ageism, changes in appearance caused by HIV and/or ageing, along with the impact of their lifecourse experiences. Our results shed light on the specific nature of the difficulties experienced by older adults living with HIV with regard to their intimate lives, as well as on the importance of using an analysis that combines the theoretical approaches of intersectionality and lifecourse to enhance our capacity for understanding complex and unique experiences.
Embedding regional actors in social and historical context: Australia-New Zealand integration and Asian-Pacific regionalism
Authors: Castle Matthew
Published: July 2017

The regionalisation of the world economy is one of the most important developments in global governance in the past two decades. This process has seen ‘inter-regional’ economic agreements emerge between two or more regional groupings. Drawing mainly on the European Union’s external relations, observers accordingly point to the growing importance of regional actors, explaining their agency (or ‘actorness’) with regional attributes such as (supranational) institutional design, size, and member state cohesion. This article challenges this dominant explanation of regional agency. It argues that regional actors are socially, politically, and historically ‘embedded’. Agency reflects the contingency of regional integration processes, the motivations that underpin those processes, and the specific relationships between regions and third parties. This approach explains an important case of inter-regionalism from the Asia-Pacific: CER-ASEAN relations. Since the early 1990s, Australia and New Zealand have used their ‘Closer Economic Relations’ trade agreement for relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. This reflects the ambitions of Australasian officials to shape processes of Asian-Pacific regionalism, and the interests of ASEAN officials in consolidating their own process of transnational market-making. Here, regional agency owed to a transforming world economy and the reconceptualisation of regions within new networks of trade governance.
Niederschwellige Prävention und Behandlung für Erwerbslose mit psychischen Belastungen
Authors: Wabnitz Pascal , Hemkendreis Bruno
Published: July 2017

Zusammenfassung. Ein wesentlicher Teil des Alltags wird durch Arbeit gestaltet, bestimmt und erfüllt. Während die eigene Arbeitstätigkeit als sinnstiftend, bereichernd und stimulierend erlebt werden kann, ist bekannt, dass Arbeit oder besser Arbeitsbedingungen krank machen können, auch psychisch krank.
Selbstverständliche unsichtbare Gerüste
Authors: Müller Christoph
Published: July 2017

Zusammenfassung. Martina Klausner: Choreografien psychiatrischer Praxis – Eine ethnografische Studie zum Alltag in der Psychiatrie, transcript-Verlag, Bielefeld 2015, ISBN 978-3-8376-3065-7, 341 Seiten, 37.99 Euro.
Wortschatz von Kindern mit Deutsch als Zweitsprache
Authors: Geist Barbara
Published: July 2017

Zusammenfassung. Der Wortschatzerwerb von Kindern mit Deutsch als Erstsprache hängt mit dem Alter des Kindes und der Bildungsdauer der Eltern zusammen. Ob diese Faktoren auch im Zusammenhang mit den lexikalischen Fähigkeiten von Kindern mit Deutsch als Zweitsprache stehen, ist bislang unklar. Für den frühen Zweitspracherwerb grammatikalischer Fähigkeiten erwiesen sich Kontaktdauer und Alter bei Erwerbsbeginn als relevante Faktoren. Stehen diese zweitsprachspezifischen Faktoren ebenfalls im Zusammenhang mit lexikalischen Fähigkeiten? Die Eltern von 47 Kindern mit Deutsch als Zweitsprache wurden mittels eines Fragebogens zu sprachbiografischen Informationen befragt, und der Wortschatz der Kinder wurde mittels des AWST-R erfasst. Es zeigt sich ein signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen Kontaktdauer und Benennleistung für Nomen und Verben, jedoch nicht zwischen Alter der Kinder oder Bildungsdauer der Eltern und der Benennleistung. Das Alter bei Erwerbsbeginn korreliert signifikant mit der Anzahl korrekt benannter Nomen. Die Ergebnisse sind vergleichbar mit Erkenntnissen aus Studien mit Kindern mit Englisch als Zweitsprache und sie untermauern die Bedeutung zweitsprachspezifischer Faktoren für die Sprachstandserhebung.
The role of age‐related T‐cell differentiation in patients with renal replacement therapy
Authors: Schaier Matthias , Leick Angele , Uhlmann Lorenz , Kälble Florian , Eckstein Volker , Ho Anthony , Meuer Stefan , Mahnke Karsten , Sommerer Claudia , Zeier Martin , Steinborn Andrea
Published: July 2017

Dialysis patients have deficiencies regarding the generation of immune responses and show an increased susceptibility for infections. Persisting uremic conditions are made responsible for the increased aging of their immune system. In this study, we analyzed whether age‐related differences in the differentiation of both recent‐thymic‐emigrant‐(RTE)‐regulatory (Tregs) and RTE‐responder T cells (Tresps) into CD31−‐memory Tregs/Tresps led to differences in the suppressive activity of naive and memory Tregs on autologous Tresps between healthy volunteers and dialysis patients. We found that regardless of age, the differentiation of RTE‐Treg/Tresps into CD31−‐memory‐Treg/Tresps was significantly increased in dialysis patients. By analyzing the age‐related differences in the differentiation of Tregs/Tresps, we saw that in healthy volunteers RTE‐Tregs differentiate via CD31+‐memory Tregs into CD31−‐memory Tregs, which may strengthen the suppressive activity of the total Treg pool. In contrast RTE‐Tresps of healthy volunteers differentiate via mature naive (MN)‐Tresps into CD31−‐memory‐Tresps, which may weaken the reactivity of the total Tresp pool. Our data revealed that this normal differentiation via MN‐Tresps was lost in dialysis patients, suggesting that their Tresps are less sensitive to Treg‐mediated immunosuppression. Functional analysis of Tregs on autologous Tresps showed an increasing suppressive activity with age in healthy individuals, who therefore may have a lower risk of developing autoimmune diseases but owing to decreased reactivity of their Tresps are more likely to suffer from infections. In contrast, dialysis patients exhibited a decreasing suppressive activity with age, owing to strengthened Tresp reactivity, which could explain the higher prevalence of chronic inflammatory conditions in these patients.
AIM1 is an actin-binding protein that suppresses cell migration and micrometastatic dissemination
Authors: Haffner Michael C. , Esopi David M. , Chaux Alcides , Gürel Meltem , Ghosh Susmita , Vaghasia Ajay M. , Tsai Harrison , Kim Kunhwa , Castagna Nicole , Lam Hong , Hicks Jessica , Wyhs Nicolas , Biswal Shinohara Debika , Hurley Paula J. , Simons Brian W. , Schaeffer Edward M. , Lotan Tamara L. , Isaacs William B. , Netto George J. , De Marzo Angelo M. , Nelson William G. , An Steven S. , Yegnasubramanian Srinivasan
Published: July 2017

A defining hallmark of primary and metastatic cancers is the migration and invasion of malignant cells. These invasive properties involve altered dynamics of the cytoskeleton and one of its major structural components β-actin. Here we identify AIM1 (absent in melanoma 1) as an actin-binding protein that suppresses pro-invasive properties in benign prostate epithelium. Depletion of AIM1 in prostate epithelial cells increases cytoskeletal remodeling, intracellular traction forces, cell migration and invasion, and anchorage-independent growth. In addition, decreased AIM1 expression results in increased metastatic dissemination in vivo. AIM1 strongly associates with the actin cytoskeleton in prostate epithelial cells in normal tissues, but not in prostate cancers. In addition to a mislocalization of AIM1 from the actin cytoskeleton in invasive cancers, advanced prostate cancers often harbor AIM1 deletion and reduced expression. These findings implicate AIM1 as a key suppressor of invasive phenotypes that becomes dysregulated in primary and metastatic prostate cancer.
Erratum: The Arabidopsis Cop9 signalosome subunit 4 (CSN4) is involved in adventitious root formation
Authors: Pacurar Daniel Ioan , Pacurar Monica Lacramioara , Lakehal Abdellah , Pacurar Andrea Mariana , Ranjan Alok , Bellini Catherine
Published: July 2017

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Transcriptome Analysis of Canine Cutaneous Melanoma and Melanocytoma Reveals a Modulation of Genes Regulating Extracellular Matrix Metabolism and Cell Cycle
Authors: Brachelente Chiara , Cappelli Katia , Capomaccio Stefano , Porcellato Ilaria , Silvestri Serenella , Bongiovanni Laura , De Maria Raffaella , Verini Supplizi Andrea , Mechelli Luca , Sforna Monica
Published: July 2017

Interactions between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment are considered critical in carcinogenesis, tumor invasion and metastasis. To examine transcriptome changes and to explore the relationship with tumor microenvironment in canine cutaneous melanocytoma and melanoma, we extracted RNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens and analyzed them by means of RNA-seq for transcriptional analysis. Melanocytoma and melanoma samples were compared to detect differential gene expressions and significant enriched pathways were explored to reveal functional relations between differentially expressed genes. The study demonstrated a differential expression of 60 genes in melanomas compared to melanocytomas. The differentially expressed genes cluster in the extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, protein digestion and absorption, focal adhesion and PI3K-Akt (phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B) signaling pathways. Genes encoding for several collagen proteins were more commonly differentially expressed. Results of the RNA-seq were validated by qRT-PCR and protein expression of some target molecules was investigated by means of immunohistochemistry. We hypothesize that the developing melanoma actively promotes collagen metabolism and extracellular matrix remodeling as well as enhancing cell proliferation and survival contributing to disease progression and metastasis. In this study, we also detected unidentified genes in human melanoma expression studies and uncover new candidate drug targets for further testing in canine melanoma.
Four dimensional material movies: High speed phase-contrast tomography by backprojection along dynamically curved paths
Authors: Ruhlandt A. , Töpperwien M. , Krenkel M. , Mokso R. , Salditt T.
Published: July 2017

We present an approach towards four dimensional (4d) movies of materials, showing dynamic processes within the entire 3d structure. The method is based on tomographic reconstruction on dynamically curved paths using a motion model estimated by optical flow techniques, considerably reducing the typical motion artefacts of dynamic tomography. At the same time we exploit x-ray phase contrast based on free propagation to enhance the signal from micron scale structure recorded with illumination times down to a millisecond (ms). The concept is demonstrated by observing the burning process of a match stick in 4d, using high speed synchrotron phase contrast x-ray tomography recordings. The resulting movies reveal the structural changes of the wood cells during the combustion.
Rapid evolution of a Batesian mimicry trait in a butterfly responding to arrival of a new model
Authors: Katoh Mitsuho , Tatsuta Haruki , Tsuji Kazuki
Published: July 2017

Batesian mimicry, a phenomenon in which harmless organisms resemble harmful or unpalatable species, has been extensively studied in evolutionary biology. Model species may differ from population to population of a single mimetic species, so different predation pressures might have driven micro-evolution towards better mimicry among regions. However, there is scant direct evidence of micro-evolutionary change over time in mimicry traits. Papilio polytes shows female-limited Batesian mimicry. On Okinawa, one mimicry model is Pachliopta aristolochiae, which was not present on the island until 1993. In P. polytes, the size of the hind-wing white spot, a mimetic trait, is maternally heritable. Among specimens collected between 1961 and 2016, the average white spot size was unchanged before the model’s arrival but has rapidly increased since then. However, white spot size showed greater variance after the model’s establishment than before. This suggests that before 1993, white spot size in this population was not selectively neutral but was an adaptive trait for mimicking an unpalatable native, Byasa alcinous, which looks like P. aristolochiae apart from the latter’s hind-wing white spot. Thus, some females switched their model to the new one after its arrival.
Human amniotic membrane as newly identified source of amniotic fluid pulmonary surfactant
Authors: Lemke Angela , Castillo-Sánchez José Carlos , Prodinger Florian , Ceranic Asja , Hennerbichler-Lugscheider Simone , Pérez-Gil Jesús , Redl Heinz , Wolbank Susanne
Published: July 2017

Pulmonary surfactant (PS) reduces surface tension at the air-liquid interface in the alveolar epithelium of the lung, which is required for breathing and for the pulmonary maturity of the developing foetus. However, the origin of PS had never been thoroughly investigated, although it was assumed to be secreted from the foetal developing lung. Human amniotic membrane (hAM), particularly its epithelial cell layer, composes the amniotic sac enclosing the amniotic fluid. In this study, we therefore aimed to investigate a potential contribution of the cellular components of the hAM to pulmonary surfactant found in amniotic fluid. We identified that cells within the native membrane contain lamellar bodies and express all four surfactant proteins as well as ABCA3. Lipidomic profiling by nanoESI – MS/MS revealed the presence of the essential lipid species as found in PS. Also, the biophysical activity of conditioned cell culture supernatant obtained from hAM was tested with captive bubble surfactometry. hAM supernatant showed the ability to reduce surface tension, similar to human PS obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage. This means that hAM produces the essential PS-associated components and can therefore contribute as second potential source of PS in amniotic fluid aside from the foetal lung.
Dilution of whisky – the molecular perspective
Authors: Karlsson Björn C. G. , Friedman Ran
Published: July 2017

Whisky is distilled to around 70% alcohol by volume (vol-%) then diluted to about 40 vol-%, and often drunk after further slight dilution to enhance its taste. The taste of whisky is primarily associated with amphipathic molecules, such as guaiacol, but why and how dilution enhances the taste is not well understood. We carried out computer simulations of water-ethanol mixtures in the presence of guaiacol, providing atomistic details on the structure of the liquid mixture. We found that guaiacol is preferentially associated with ethanol, and, therefore, primarily found at the liquid-air interface in mixtures that contain up to 45 vol-% of ethanol. At ethanol concentrations of 59 vol-% or higher, guaiacol is increasingly surrounded by ethanol molecules and is driven to the bulk. This indicates that the taste of guaiacol in the whisky would be enhanced upon dilution prior to bottling. Our findings may apply to other flavour-giving amphipathic molecules and could contribute to optimising the production of spirits for desired tastes. Furthermore, it sheds light on the molecular structure of water-alcohol mixtures that contain small solutes, and reveals that interactions with the water may be negligible already at 89 vol-% of ethanol.
Lithium Sensitive ORAI1 Expression, Store Operated Ca2+ Entry and Suicidal Death of Neurons in Chorea-Acanthocytosis
Authors: Pelzl Lisann , Hauser Stefan , Elsir Bhaeldin , Sukkar Basma , Sahu Itishri , Singh Yogesh , Höflinger Philip , Bissinger Rosi , Jemaà Mohamed , Stournaras Christos , Schöls Ludger , Lang Florian
Published: July 2017

Chorea-Acanthocytosis (ChAc), a neurodegenerative disorder, results from loss-of-function-mutations of chorein-encoding gene VPS13A. In tumour cells chorein up-regulates ORAI1, a Ca2+-channel accomplishing store operated Ca2+-entry (SOCE) upon stimulation by STIM1. Furthermore SOCE could be up-regulated by lithium. The present study explored whether SOCE impacts on neuron apoptosis. Cortical neurons were differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells generated from fibroblasts of ChAc patients and healthy volunteers. ORAI1 and STIM1 transcript levels and protein abundance were estimated from qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively, cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i) from Fura-2-fluorescence, as well as apoptosis from annexin-V-binding and propidium-iodide uptake determined by flow cytometry. As a result, ORAI1 and STIM1 transcript levels and protein abundance and SOCE were significantly smaller and the percentage apoptotic cells significantly higher in ChAc neurons than in control neurons. Lithium treatment (2 mM, 24 hours) increased significantly ORAI1 and STIM1 transcript levels and protein abundance, an effect reversed by inhibition of Serum & Glucocorticoid inducible Kinase 1. ORAI1 blocker 2-APB (50 µM, 24 hours) significantly decreased SOCE, markedly increased apoptosis and abrogated the anti-apoptotic effect of lithium. In conclusion, enhanced neuronal apoptosis in ChAc at least partially results from decreased ORAI1 expression and SOCE, which could be reversed by lithium treatment.
Multiview three-dimensional reconstruction by millimetre-wave portable camera
Authors: Laviada Jaime , Arboleya-Arboleya Ana , Álvarez Yuri , González-Valdés Borja , Las-Heras Fernando
Published: July 2017

Millimetre-wave imaging is a powerful non-destructive inspection technique which has become widely used in areas such as through-the-wall imaging or concealed weapon detection. Nevertheless, current systems are usually limited to either a single view point providing a limited 3D millimeter-wave model or a multiview relying on the accurate movement of a robot arm through precise positions resulting in very bulky systems. In this paper, we present a set of techniques to achieve a multiview millimetre-wave scanner. The aperture of the scanner is kept below 16 cm so it can be portable and, consequently, multiview can be achieved by simple hand movements. In addition, optical images are also acquired with a two-fold purpose: i) building a complementary 3D-model by employing Structure from Movement (SfM) techniques; ii) estimating the scanner position and poses. The proposed technology is illustrated for people screening, proving the capacity of the system to detect hidden weapons.
Molecular diversity of benthic ctenophores (Coeloplanidae)
Authors: Alamaru Ada , Hoeksema Bert W. , van der Meij Sancia E. T. , Huchon Dorothée
Published: July 2017

Coeloplanidae, the largest family of benthic ctenophores, comprises 33 species, all described based on traditional morphological characteristics, such as coloration, length, and number of aboral papillae, which are highly variable and can be affected by fixation methods and environmental conditions. Thus, there is a need for reliable genetic markers to complement the morphological identifications at the species level. Here, we analyzed 95 specimens from 11 morphologically distinct species of benthic ctenophores from the Red Sea and Sulu Sea, and tested selected regions of four genetic markers (ITS1, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and COI) for their ability to differentiate between species. We show that the barcoding region of the mitochondrial gene, cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), is highly variable among species of Coeloplanidae, and effectively discriminates between species in this family. The average Kimura-2-parameter (K2P) distance between species-level clades was 10%, while intraspecific variation was ~30 times lower (0.36%). COI-based phylogeny supported the delineation of four recently described new species from the Red Sea. The other nuclear markers tested were found to be too conserved in order to separate between species. We conclude that COI is a potential molecular barcode for the family Coeloplanidae and suggest to test it in pelagic ctenophores.
Muscle transcriptome analysis reveals molecular pathways and biomarkers involved in extreme ultimate pH and meat defect occurrence in chicken
Authors: Beauclercq Stéphane , Hennequet-Antier Christelle , Praud Christophe , Godet Estelle , Collin Anne , Tesseraud Sophie , Métayer-Coustard Sonia , Bourin Marie , Moroldo Marco , Martins Frédéric , Lagarrigue Sandrine , Bihan-Duval Elisabeth Le , Berri Cécile
Published: July 2017

The processing ability and sensory quality of chicken breast meat are highly related to its ultimate pH (pHu), which is mainly determined by the amount of glycogen in the muscle at death. To unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying glycogen and meat pHu variations and to identify predictive biomarkers of these traits, a transcriptome profiling analysis was performed using an Agilent custom chicken 8 × 60 K microarray. The breast muscle gene expression patterns were studied in two chicken lines experimentally selected for high (pHu+) and low (pHu−) pHu values of the breast meat. Across the 1,436 differentially expressed (DE) genes found between the two lines, many were involved in biological processes related to muscle development and remodelling and carbohydrate and energy metabolism. The functional analysis showed an intensive use of carbohydrate metabolism to produce energy in the pHu− line, while alternative catabolic pathways were solicited in the muscle of the pHu+ broilers, compromising their muscle development and integrity. After a validation step on a population of 278 broilers using microfluidic RT-qPCR, 20 genes were identified by partial least squares regression as good predictors of the pHu, opening new perspectives of screening broilers likely to present meat quality defects.
Auditory Neuropathy after Damage to Cochlear Spiral Ganglion Neurons in Mice Resulting from Conditional Expression of Diphtheria Toxin Receptors
Authors: Pan Haolai , Song Qiang , Huang Yanyan , Wang Jiping , Chai Renjie , Yin Shankai , Wang Jian
Published: July 2017

Auditory neuropathy (AN) is a hearing disorder characterized by normal cochlear amplification to sound but poor temporal processing and auditory perception in noisy backgrounds. These deficits likely result from impairments in auditory neural synchrony; such dyssynchrony of the neural responses has been linked to demyelination of auditory nerve fibers. However, no appropriate animal models are currently available that mimic this pathology. In this study, Cre-inducible diphtheria toxin receptor (iDTR
+/+
) mice were cross-mated with mice containing Cre (Bhlhb5-Cre
+/−
) specific to spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). In double-positive offspring mice, the injection of diphtheria toxin (DT) led to a 30–40% rate of death for SGNs, but no hair cell damage. Demyelination types of pathologies were observed around the surviving SGNs and their fibers, many of which were distorted in shape. Correspondingly, a significant reduction in response synchrony to amplitude modulation was observed in this group of animals compared to the controls, which had a Cre− genotype. Taken together, our results suggest that SGN damage following the injection of DT in mice with Bhlhb5-Cre
+/−
and iDTR
+/−
is likely to be a good AN model of demyelination.
Achievement of Sustained Net Plasma Heating in a Fusion Experiment with the Optometrist Algorithm
Authors: Baltz E. A. , Trask E. , Binderbauer M. , Dikovsky M. , Gota H. , Mendoza R. , Platt J. C. , Riley P. F.
Published: July 2017

Many fields of basic and applied science require efficiently exploring complex systems with high dimensionality. An example of such a challenge is optimising the performance of plasma fusion experiments. The highly-nonlinear and temporally-varying interaction between the plasma, its environment and external controls presents a considerable complexity in these experiments. A further difficulty arises from the fact that there is no single objective metric that fully captures both plasma quality and equipment constraints. To efficiently optimise the system, we develop the Optometrist Algorithm, a stochastic perturbation method combined with human choice. Analogous to getting an eyeglass prescription, the Optometrist Algorithm confronts a human operator with two alternative experimental settings and associated outcomes. A human operator then chooses which experiment produces subjectively better results. This innovative technique led to the discovery of an unexpected record confinement regime with positive net heating power in a field-reversed configuration plasma, characterised by a >50% reduction in the energy loss rate and concomitant increase in ion temperature and total plasma energy.
Complex magnetic incommensurability and electronic charge transfer through the ferroelectric transition in multiferroic Co3TeO6
Authors: Lee Chi-Hung , Wang Chin-Wei , Zhao Yang , Li Wen-Hsien , Lynn Jeffrey W. , Harris A. Brooks , Rule Kirrily , Yang Hung-Duen , Berger Helmuth
Published: July 2017

Polarized and unpolarized neutron diffractions have been carried out to investigate the nature of the magnetic structures and transitions in monoclinic Co3TeO6. As the temperature is lowered below 26 K long range order develops, which is fully incommensurate (ICM) in all three crystallographic directions. Below 19.5 K additional commensurate magnetic peaks develop, consistent with the Γ4 irreducible representation, along with a splitting of the ICM peaks along the h direction which indicates that there are two separate sets of magnetic modulation vectors. Below 18 K, this small additional magnetic incommensurability disappears, ferroelectricity develops, an additional commensurate magnetic structure consistent with Γ3 irreducible representation appears, and the k component of the ICM wave vector disappears. Synchrotron x-ray diffraction measurements demonstrate that there is a significant shift of the electronic charge distribution from the Te ions at the crystallographic 8 f sites to the neighboring Co and O ions. These results, together with the unusually small electric polarization, its strong magnetic field dependence, and the negative thermal expansion in all three lattice parameters, suggest this material is an antiferroelectric. Below15 K the k component of the ICM structure reappears, along with second-order ICM Bragg peaks, which polarized neutron data demonstrate are magnetic in origin.
Collaborative roles of Temporoparietal Junction and Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in Different Types of Behavioural Flexibility
Authors: Tei Shisei , Fujino Junya , Kawada Ryosaku , Jankowski Kathryn F. , Kauppi Jukka-Pekka , van den Bos Wouter , Abe Nobuhito , Sugihara Genichi , Miyata Jun , Murai Toshiya , Takahashi Hidehiko
Published: July 2017

Behavioural flexibility is essential for everyday life. This involves shifting attention between different perspectives. Previous studies suggest that flexibility is mainly subserved by the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). However, although rarely emphasized, the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) is frequently recruited during flexible behaviour. A crucial question is whether TPJ plays a role in different types of flexibility, compared to its limited role in perceptual flexibility. We hypothesized that TPJ activity during diverse flexibility tasks plays a common role in stimulus-driven attention-shifting, thereby contributing to different types of flexibility, and thus the collaboration between DLPFC and TPJ might serve as a more appropriate mechanism than DLPFC alone. We used fMRI to measure DLPFC/TPJ activity recruited during moral flexibility, and examined its effect on other domains of flexibility (economic/perceptual). Here, we show the additional, yet crucial role of TPJ: a combined DLPFC/TPJ activity predicted flexibility, regardless of domain. Different types of flexibility might rely on more basic attention-shifting, which highlights the behavioural significance of alternatives.