bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment Outcome Assessment of the Pharmacist-Managed Quit Smoking Clinic in Malaysia
Authors: Shafie Asrul Akmal , Hassali Mohamed Azmi , Rabi Rudy , Lee Mei Lin
Published: December 2014

Introduction: Evaluating a new health service is different from evaluating a new drug, as the former depends on the local delivery structure and culture. No data are available on the effectiveness of the existing pharmacist-managed quit smoking clinic (PM-QSC) in Malaysia. We evaluated the effectiveness in terms of the quit and default rate, the cost per quitter, cost per patient and the number of days of the patient remained in the managed care of the pharmacist.

Methods: The patients’ medical records at the PM-QSC in a tertiary hospital in Melaka, Malaysia, were examined retrospectively from January 2009 to December 2010. Patients were grouped into current smokers, attempted to quit and quitters. Costs were calculated per patient visit on the basis of resource used (smoking cessation agents (SCAs)) and the personnel involved (time spent by the pharmacist). This study was reviewed and approved by the Malaysia Research Ethics Committee (MREC).

Results: The quit rate between January 2009 and December 2010 was 5.8%, and the default rate was 71.8%. The average quit period for all smokers enrolled was 298 days. From the health provider perspective, the average costs per quitter, per patient and per quit attempt were MYR 953.28 (USD 308), MYR 55.71 (USD 18) and MYR 34.74 (USD 11), respectively.

Conclusion: The pharmacist delivery of cessation services at a public-funded QSC was associated with a high default rate. The pharmacist could not be dismissed entirely as an ineffective health care professional (HCP) for the provision of the cessation service based solely on this preliminary data, but these findings stress the need to address the high default rate prior to the expansion of the service.
A GPU-Based Wide-Band Radio Spectrometer
Authors: Chennamangalam Jayanth , Scott Simon , Jones Glenn , Chen Hong , Ford John , Kepley Amanda , Lorimer D. R. , Nie Jun , Prestage Richard , Roshi D. Anish , Wagner Mark , Werthimer Dan
Published: December 2014

The graphics processing unit has become an integral part of astronomical instrumentation, enabling high-performance online data reduction and accelerated online signal processing. In this paper, we describe a wide-band reconfigurable spectrometer built using an off-the-shelf graphics processing unit card. This spectrometer, when configured as a polyphase filter bank, supports a dual-polarisation bandwidth of up to 1.1 GHz (or a single-polarisation bandwidth of up to 2.2 GHz) on the latest generation of graphics processing units. On the other hand, when configured as a direct fast Fourier transform, the spectrometer supports a dual-polarisation bandwidth of up to 1.4 GHz (or a single-polarisation bandwidth of up to 2.8 GHz).
Trichinella spiralis: genome database searches for the presence and immunolocalization of protein disulphide isomerase family members
Authors: Freitas C.P. , Clemente I. , Mendes T. , Novo C.
Published: December 2014

The formation of nurse cells in host muscle cells duringTrichinella spiralisinfection is a key step in the infective mechanism. Collagen trimerization is set up via disulphide bond formation, catalysed by protein disulphide isomerase (PDI). InT. spiralis, some PDI family members have been identified but no localization is described and no antibodies specific forT. spiralisPDIs are available. In this work, computational approaches were used to search for non-described PDIs in theT. spiralisgenome database and to check the cross-reactivity of commercial anti-human antibodies withT. spiralisorthologues. In addition to a previously described PDI (PDIA2), endoplasmic reticulum protein (ERp57/PDIA3), ERp72/PDIA4, and the molecular chaperones calreticulin (CRT), calnexin (CNX) and immunoglobulin-binding protein/glucose-regulated protein (BIP/GRP78), we identified orthologues of the human thioredoxin-related-transmembrane proteins (TMX1, TMX2 and TMX3) in the genome protein database, as well as ERp44 (PDIA10) and endoplasmic reticulum disulphide reductase (ERdj5/PDIA19). Immunocytochemical staining of paraffin sections of muscle infected byT. spiralisenabled us to localize some orthologues of the human PDIs (PDIA3 and TMX1) and the chaperone GRP78. A theoretical three-dimensional model forT. spiralisPDIA3 was constructed. The localization and characteristics of the predicted linear B-cell epitopes and amino acid sequence of the immunogens used for commercial production of anti-human PDIA3 antibodies validated the use of these antibodies for the immunolocalization ofT. spiralisPDIA3 orthologues. These results suggest that further study of the role of the PDIs and chaperones during nurse cell formation is desirable.
Bacterial biofilm on the sinus mucosa of healthy subjects and patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (with or without nasal polyposis)
Authors: Singh P , Mehta R , Agarwal S , Mishra P
Published: December 2014

Objective:

To study the presence of bacterial biofilm on the sinus mucosa of healthy individuals (controls) and patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyposis.

Methods:

An analytical, prospective and observational study was conducted. Tissue samples were obtained from the sinus mucosa. The bacteria were isolated and typified, and the material was examined for biofilm formation using tissue culture plate, Congo red agar detection and tube methods.

Results:

A total of 100 cases were analysed for the presence of biofilm. Bacterial biofilm was present in 26 of 50 disease group cases (52 per cent) and in 4 of 50 control group cases (8 per cent) (p < 0.01).

Conclusion:

The presence of biofilm on the mucosa of chronic rhinosinusitis patients offers a possible cause for the persistent inflammation, and for antibiotics resistance and antimicrobial therapy failure. These findings could change the approach to treatment.
Escape mechanisms of African trypanosomes: why trypanosomosis is keeping us awake
Authors: CNOPS JENNIFER , MAGEZ STEFAN , De TREZ CARL
Published: December 2014

African trypanosomes have been around for more than 100 million years, and have adapted to survival in a very wide host range. While various indigenous African mammalian host species display a tolerant phenotype towards this parasitic infection, and hence serve as perpetual reservoirs, many commercially important livestock species are highly disease susceptible. When considering humans, they too display a highly sensitive disease progression phenotype for infections withTrypanosoma brucei rhodesienseorTrypanosoma brucei gambiense, while being intrinsically resistant to infections with other trypanosome species. As extracellular trypanosomes proliferate and live freely in the bloodstream and lymphatics, they are constantly exposed to the immune system. Due to co-evolution, this environment however no longer poses a hostile threat, but has become the niche environment where trypanosomes thrive and obligatory await transmission through the bites of tsetse flies or other haematophagic vectors, ideally without causing severe side infection-associated pathology to their host. Hence, African trypanosomes have acquired various mechanisms to manipulate and control the host immune response, evading effective elimination. Despite the extensive research into trypanosomosis over the past 40 years, many aspects of the anti-parasite immune response remain to be solved and no vaccine is currently available. Here we review the recent work on the different escape mechanisms employed by African Trypanosomes to ensure infection chronicity and transmission potential.
Validation and further validation of a measure of creative identity among USA and Finland pre-service music teachers
Authors: Randles Clint , Muhonen Sari
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study was to validate a measure of creative identity with a population of pre-service teachers in the USA, to further validate the measure with a Finnish population, and to compare both populations regarding their perceptions of themselves as creative musicians. The researcher developed a tool, theCreative Identity Measure(CIM), based on the work of Isbell (2007) to examine this area. The specific research questions were as follows: 1. What factors can explain creative identity in music? 2. What is the internal consistency within the factors that explain creative identity in music? 3. Do differences exist between the two populations with regard to each sub-scale? Results of factor analysis reveal that the CIM can be meaningfully divided into four sub-scales with a US population (n= 159) and a combined US and Finland population (n= 277). Significant differences were discovered for sub-scales one (Creative Music Making Self-Efficacy), two (Value of Creative Musicianship Areas), and four (Value of Popular-Music Making/Listening in the Classroom), suggesting that the Finnish pre-service music teachers possess a stronger creative identity than their contemporaries from the USA. Significant differences were not found for sub-scale three (Willingness to Allow for Creativity in the Classroom), suggesting that both populations of pre-service music teachers are equally willing to allow time for creativity.
The ultraviolet radiation environment during an expedition across the Drake Passage and on the Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Russell Andrew , Gohlan Manmohan , Smedley Andrew , Densham Martin
Published: December 2014

Polysulphone ultraviolet dosimetry badges were deployed daily during a British Services Antarctic Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula, including a cruise period across the Drake Passage. The expedition was undertaken from 20 December 2011 to 7 March 2012. Badges were successfully analysed from 46 days of the expedition with a daily mean of 1.8 kJ m-2erythemal daily dose (EDD) and a range of 0.3–4.3 kJ m-2EDD. The results indicate that the ultraviolet EDD experienced was comparable to temperate, mid-latitude locations in the spring/late summer. The variability of the badge measurements was mostly consistent with observations from a local ground-based radiometer and equivalent satellite-derived products. However, such comparisons are limited by the changing location/altitude of the expedition and known biases in the satellite data. This highlights that the new dataset of exposure experienced at the Antarctic surface complements those produced by stationary ground-based instruments or satellites and, therefore, that the badge dataset brings a new element to this issue. The highest EDD values during the expedition occurred at high altitude, and the lowest EDD values occurred at low altitude and high latitude with relatively high total ozone column concentration.
Population decline and range contraction of the Egyptian VultureNeophron percnopterusin the Balkan Peninsula
Authors: VELEVSKI METODIJA , NIKOLOV STOYAN C. , HALLMANN BEN , DOBREV VLADIMIR , SIDIROPOULOS LAVRENTIS , SARAVIA VICTORIA , TSIAKIRIS RIGAS , ARKUMAREV VOLEN , GALANAKI ANTONIA , KOMINOS THEODOROS , STARA KALLIOPI , KRET ELZBIETA , GRUBAČ BRATISLAV , LISIČANEC EMANUEL , KASTRITIS THANOS , VAVYLIS DIMITRIS , TOPI MIRJAN , HOXHA BLEDI , OPPEL STEFFEN
Published: December 2014

The Egyptian Vulture has been classified as ‘Endangered’ due to a rapid population decline in India and long term declines in Europe and Africa. Although the species has been reported to be declining in Eastern Europe, no quantitative assessment of the magnitude or the causes for population declines are available. We used monitoring data from the Balkan Peninsula to estimate changes in population size and extent of occurrence of Egyptian Vultures between 1980 and 2013. We quantified population trends in three countries (Bulgaria, Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic [FYR] of Macedonia) to assess whether population declines are similar within the Balkan range states. We found a rapid and consistent decline of the Egyptian Vulture population that was largely similar among the three countries (λ = 0.940 in FYR of Macedonia, 0.951 in Bulgaria, 0.920 in Greece). As a consequence of population declines, the breeding range of Egyptian Vultures has contracted and the population in the Balkan Peninsula has fragmented into six subpopulations separated by more than 80 km. Population declines may be driven by factors such as poisoning, electrocution, direct persecution and changes in food availability which operate at large spatial scales and affect birds both on breeding grounds as well as during migration and wintering. Because the relative importance of threats to the survival of Egyptian Vultures are poorly understood, there is a critical need for research into causes of mortality and potential conservation actions that may halt and reverse population declines.
Characterizingco-NLby a group action
Authors: AUBERT CLÉMENT , SEILLER THOMAS
Published: December 2014

In a recent paper, Girard (2012) proposed to use his recent construction of a geometry of interaction in the hyperfinite factor (Girard 2011) in an innovative way to characterize complexity classes. We begin by giving a detailed explanation of both the choices and the motivations of Girard's definitions. We then provide a complete proof that the complexity classco-NLcan be characterized using this new approach. We introduce the non-deterministic pointer machine as a technical tool, a concrete model to compute algorithms.
The Inspector of Music Meets the French
Authors: CAMUS RAOUL F.
Published: December 2014

When the French military forces arrived in Newport in 1781, they brought with them not only music of a social nature, such as country-dances, but also music used in military ceremonies. Americans quickly adopted many French customs, melodies and traditions. A fife major's manuscript of 1781 is only one of many that evinces the importance of John Hiwell, the Continental Army Inspector of Music, in promoting this French influence on American military ceremonial music. This article also examines some aspects of fifes and drums in the Revolutionary War era.
How Santa Claus Became a Slave Driver: The Work of Print Culture in a Nineteenth-Century Musical Controversy
Authors: SHADLE DOUGLAS W.
Published: December 2014

The transnational character of the literate musical community in the United States created an environment in which language barriers, ideological biases, and other potential sources of misunderstanding caused print items to change shape quickly as they were transferred from one reader to the next. The aesthetic controversy between William Henry Fry and Richard Storrs Willis surrounding the 1853 premiere of Fry'sSanta Claus: Christmas Symphonyprovides a rich case in point. The controversy at times seemed to draw from a parallel debate in Europe, often called “The War of the Romantics,” which concerned the future of symphonic composition and music's capacity for representation. At others, the controversy seemed to diverge from its European counterpart as central concepts were articulated in new intellectual contexts. The vagaries of print culture help explain these discrepancies. This article outlines the central arguments of the debate, situates them within their transatlantic contexts, and examines how print culture played a significant role in the controversy's unfolding as early as 1839, fifteen years before it took place. More broadly, it constructs a new framework for examining the function and meaning of nineteenth-century music periodicals by illustrating how an antislavery newspaper became an unlikely voice in a debate over program music.
The Fugs, the Lower East Side, and the Slum Aesthetic in 1960s Rock
Authors: BURKE PATRICK
Published: December 2014

During the mid-to-late 1960s, impoverished urban districts throughout the United States witnessed an influx of white middle-class youth who attempted to remake society and themselves against a backdrop of inner-city grit and decay. This article focuses on the Lower East Side of Manhattan to explore the significance of slumming in the creation and reception of 1960s rock. Lower East Side rock musicians drew little overt influence from their neighborhood's longstanding ethnic communities, which included eastern Europeans, Puerto Ricans, and African Americans. Rather, these musicians were fascinated with the concept of the “slum” itself as a more abstract signifier of authenticity, adventure, and nonconformity. I propose that a “slum aesthetic” emphasizing dirt, obscenity, and willful amateurism, exemplified by local band the Fugs, was crucial to the Lower East Side rock scene. Examining this “slum aesthetic” helps paint a more nuanced picture of both the political significance of rock and the connections between popular music and urban life. As the Lower East Side's musicians sought both radical social change and a large audience, they represented their neighborhood in ways that combined thoughtful engagement with broad caricature, a contradiction that inspired both musical creativity and social tension.
A Twin Study of Breastfeeding With a Preliminary Genome-Wide Association Scan
Authors: Colodro-Conde Lucia , Zhu Gu , Power Robert A. , Henders Anjali , Heath Andrew C. , Madden Pamela A. F. , Montgomery Grant W. , Medland Sarah , Ordoñana Juan R. , Martin Nicholas G.
Published: December 2014

Breastfeeding has been an important survival trait during human history, though it has long been recognized that individuals differ in their exact breastfeeding behavior. Here our aims were, first, to explore to what extent genetic and environmental influences contributed to the individual differences in breastfeeding behavior; second, to detect possible genetic variants related to breastfeeding; and lastly, to test if the genetic variants associated with breastfeeding have been previously found to be related with breast size. Data were collected from a large community-based cohort of Australian twins, with 3,364 women participating in the twin modelling analyses and 1,521 of them included in the genome-wide association study (GWAS). Monozygotic (MZ) twin correlations (rMZ= 0.52, 95% CI 0.46–0.57) were larger than dizygotic (DZ) twin correlations (rDZ= 0.35, 95% CI 0.25–0.43) and the best-fitting model was the one composed by additive genetics and unique environmental factors, explaining 53% and 47% of the variance in breastfeeding behavior, respectively. No breastfeeding-related genetic variants reached genome-wide significance. The polygenic risk score analyses showed no significant results, suggesting breast size does not influence breastfeeding. This study confers a replication of a previous one exploring the sources of variance of breastfeeding and, to our knowledge, is the first one to conduct a GWAS on breastfeeding and look at the overlap with variants for breast size.
Enhancing mammary differentiation by overcoming lineage-specific epigenetic modification and signature gene expression of fibroblast-derived iPSCs
Authors: Li Y , Hong N , Zhang A , Chen W , Wang R-H , Xu X-L , Deng C-X
Published: December 2014

Recent studies have shown that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) retain a memory of their origin and exhibit biased differentiation potential. This finding reveals a severe limitation in the application of iPSCs to cell-based therapy because it means that certain cell types are not available for reprogramming for patients. Here we show that the iPSC differentiation process is accompanied by profound gene expression and epigenetic modifications that reflect cells’ origins. Under typical conditions for mammary differentiation, iPSCs reprogrammed from tail-tip fibroblasts (TF-iPSCs) activated a fibroblast-specific signature that was not compatible with mammary differentiation. Strikingly, under optimized conditions, including coculture with iPSCs derived from the mammary epithelium or in the presence of pregnancy hormones, the fibroblast-specific signature of TF-iPSCs obtained during differentiation was erased and cells displayed a mammary-specific signature with a markedly enhanced ability for mammary differentiation. These findings provide new insights into the precise control of differentiation conditions that may have applications in personalized cell-based therapy.
Analysis of gene expression array in TSC2-deficient AML cells reveals IRF7 as a pivotal factor in the Rheb/mTOR pathway
Authors: Makovski V , Jacob-Hirsch J , Gefen-Dor C , Shai B , Ehrlich M , Rechavi G , Kloog Y
Published: December 2014

Mutations in tuberous sclerosis (TSC) genes cause the genetic disorder TSC, as well as other neoplasms, including lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and angiomyolipomas (AMLs). AMLs are benign renal tumors occur both in sporadic LAM and in TSC. As they carry the same mutations, AML cell lines serve as a model for TSC and LAM. Rheb/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway is chronically activated in TSC-deficient cells, and this activation can be diminished using the appropriate inhibitors. Rapamycin (sirolimus) is a known specific inhibitor of mTORC1, whereas S-trans,trans-farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS; salirasib) has been shown to inhibit Rheb. To examine the effect of the Rheb/mTOR inhibition pathway, we used human TSC2-deficient AML cells, derived from a LAM patient. FTS indeed inhibited Rheb in these cells and attenuated their proliferation. After comparative treatments with FTS or rapamycin or by re-expression of TSC2, we carried out a gene array analysis. This yielded a substantial number of commonly altered genes, many of which we identified as downstream targets of the interferon (IFN) regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) transcription factor, a central activator of the IFN type 1 immune response. Furthermore, nuclear localization of IRF7 was impaired by each of the three treatments. Interestingly, the phenomena seen on FTS or rapamycin treatment were selective for TSC2-deficient cells. Moreover, knockdown of IRF7 by siRNA mimicked the decrease in number of the abovementioned genes and also inhibited AML cell proliferation. Altogether, these findings support FTS as a potential treatment for TSC and its related pathologies and IRF7 as a novel target for treatment.
DNA methylation and differential gene regulation in photoreceptor cell death
Authors: Farinelli P , Perera A , Arango-Gonzalez B , Trifunovic D , Wagner M , Carell T , Biel M , Zrenner E , Michalakis S , Paquet-Durand F , Ekström P A R
Published: December 2014

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) defines a group of inherited degenerative retinal diseases causing progressive loss of photoreceptors. To this day, RP is still untreatable and rational treatment development will require a thorough understanding of the underlying cell death mechanisms. Methylation of the DNA base cytosine by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) is an important epigenetic factor regulating gene expression, cell differentiation, cell death, and survival. Previous studies suggested an involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in RP, and in this study, increased cytosine methylation was detected in dying photoreceptors in the rd1, rd2, P23H, and S334ter rodent models for RP. Ultrastructural analysis of photoreceptor nuclear morphology in the rd1 mouse model for RP revealed a severely altered chromatin structure during retinal degeneration that coincided with an increased expression of the DNMT isozyme DNMT3a. To identify disease-specific differentially methylated DNA regions (DMRs) on a genomic level, we immunoprecipitated methylated DNA fragments and subsequently analyzed them with a targeted microarray. Genome-wide comparison of DMRs between rd1 and wild-type retina revealed hypermethylation of genes involved in cell death and survival as well as cell morphology and nervous system development. When correlating DMRs with gene expression data, we found that hypermethylation occurred alongside transcriptional repression. Consistently, motif analysis showed that binding sites of several important transcription factors for retinal physiology were hypermethylated in the mutant model, which also correlated with transcriptional silencing of their respective target genes. Finally, inhibition of DNMTs in rd1 organotypic retinal explants using decitabine resulted in a substantial reduction of photoreceptor cell death, suggesting inhibition of DNA methylation as a potential novel treatment in RP.
Cellular and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpes virus microRNAs in sepsis and surgical trauma
Authors: Tudor S , Giza D E , Lin H Y , Fabris L , Yoshiaki K , D'Abundo L , Toale K M , Shimizu M , Ferracin M , Challagundla K B , Angelica Cortez M , Fuentes-Mattei E , Tulbure D , Gonzalez C , Henderson J , Row M , Rice T W , Ivan C , Negrini M , Fabbri M , Morris J S , Yeung S-C J , Vasilescu C , Calin G A
Published: December 2014

Once a patient is in septic shock, survival rates drop by 7.6% for every hour of delay in antibiotic therapy. Biomarkers based on the molecular mechanism of sepsis are important for timely diagnosis and triage. Here, we study the potential roles of a panel of cellular and viral miRNAs as sepsis biomarkers. We performed genome-wide microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling in leukocytes from septic patients and nonseptic controls, combined with quantitative RT-PCR in plasmas from two cohorts of septic patients, two cohorts of nonseptic surgical patients and healthy volunteers. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, miRNA transfection and chromatin immunoprecipitation were used to study the effects of Kaposi sarcoma herpes virus (KSHV) miRNAs on interleukin's secretion. Differences related to sepsis etiology were noted for plasma levels of 10 cellular and 2 KSHV miRNAs (miR-K-10b and miR-K-12-12*) between septic and nonseptic patients. All the sepsis groups had high KSHV miRNAs levels compared with controls; Afro-American patients had higher levels of KSHV-miR-K12-12* than non-Afro-American patients. Both KSHV miRNAs were increased on postoperative day 1, but returned to baseline on day 7; they acted as direct agonists of Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), which might explain the increased secretion of the IL-6 and IL-10. Cellular and KSHV miRNAs are differentially expressed in sepsis and early postsurgical patients and may be exploited for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Increased miR-K-10b and miR-K12-12* are functionally involved in sepsis as agonists of TLR8, forming a positive feedback that may lead to cytokine dysregulation.
A novel biomarker Linc00974 interacting with KRT19 promotes proliferation and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tang J , Zhuo H , Zhang X , Jiang R , Ji J , Deng L , Qian X , Zhang F , Sun B
Published: December 2014

Location-associated long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) was reported to interact with target protein via a cis-regulatory process especially for the Flank10kb class lncRNA. Based on this theory, we aimed to explore the regulatory mechanisms of Linc00974 and KRT19 (an lncRNA beyond the Flank10kb class with protein) when we first confirmed the aberrant expression in hepatocellular carcinoma in a previous study. Knockdown of Linc00974 resulted in an inhibition of cell proliferation and invasion with an activation of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in vitro, which was also validated by a subcutaneous and tail vein/intraperitoneal injection xenotransplantation model in vivo. We further investigated the interaction pattern of Linc00974 and KRT19. MiR-642 was identified, by acting as the competing endogenous RNA in regulating Linc00974 and KRT19. Linc00974 was increased owing to an abnormal hypomethylation promoter, which induced the upregulation of KRT19 via ceRNA interaction, resulting in the activation of the Notch and TGF-β pathways as detected by cDNA microarray. We also discovered Linc00974F-1 stably expressed in the plasma. By the combined analysis of Linc00974F-1 with CYFRA21-1, we found that these joint indicators predicted growth and metastasis of tumor in HCC patients. In conclusion, the combination of Linc00974 and KRT19 may be novel indices for clinical diagnosis of tumor growth and metastasis in HCC, while Linc00974 may become a potential therapeutic target for the prevention of HCC progression.
Koschei the immortal and anti-aging drugs
Authors: Blagosklonny M V
Published: December 2014

In Slavic folklore, Koschei the Immortal was bony, thin and lean. Was his condition caused by severe calorie restriction (CR)? CR deactivates the target of rapamycin pathway and slows down aging. But the life-extending effect of severe CR is limited by starvation. What if Koschei’s anti-aging formula included rapamycin? And was rapamycin (or another rapalog) combined with commonly available drugs such as metformin, aspirin, propranolol, angiotensin II receptor blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
Sudden motility reversal indicates sensing of magnetic field gradients in Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 strain
Authors: González Lina M , Ruder Warren C , Mitchell Aaron P , Messner William C , LeDuc Philip R
Published: December 2014

Many motile unicellular organisms have evolved specialized behaviors for detecting and responding to environmental cues such as chemical gradients (chemotaxis) and oxygen gradients (aerotaxis). Magnetotaxis is found in magnetotactic bacteria and it is defined as the passive alignment of these cells to the geomagnetic field along with active swimming. Herein we show that Magnetospirillum magneticum (AMB-1) show a unique set of responses that indicates they sense and respond not only to the direction of magnetic fields by aligning and swimming, but also to changes in the magnetic field or magnetic field gradients. We present data showing that AMB-1 cells exhibit sudden motility reversals when we impose them to local magnetic field gradients. Our system employs permalloy (Ni80Fe20) islands to curve and diverge the magnetic field lines emanating from our custom-designed Helmholtz coils in the vicinity of the islands (creating a drop in the field across the islands). The three distinct movements we have observed as they approach the permalloy islands are: unidirectional, single reverse and double reverse. Our findings indicate that these reverse movements occur in response to magnetic field gradients. In addition, using a permanent magnet we found further evidence that supports this claim. Motile AMB-1 cells swim away from the north and south poles of a permanent magnet when the magnet is positioned less than ∼30 mm from the droplet of cells. All together, these results indicate previously unknown response capabilities arising from the magnetic sensing systems of AMB-1 cells. These responses could enable them to cope with magnetic disturbances that could in turn potentially inhibit their efficient search for nutrients.
Niches of two polysaccharide-degrading Polaribacter isolates from the North Sea during a spring diatom bloom
Authors: Xing Peng , Hahnke Richard L , Unfried Frank , Markert Stephanie , Huang Sixing , Barbeyron Tristan , Harder Jens , Becher Dörte , Schweder Thomas , Glöckner Frank Oliver , Amann Rudolf I , Teeling Hanno
Published: December 2014

Members of the flavobacterial genus Polaribacter thrive in response to North Sea spring phytoplankton blooms. We analyzed two respective Polaribacter species by whole genome sequencing, comparative genomics, substrate tests and proteomics. Both can degrade algal polysaccharides but occupy distinct niches. The liquid culture isolate Polaribacter sp. strain Hel1_33_49 has a 3.0-Mbp genome with an overall peptidase:CAZyme ratio of 1.37, four putative polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) and features proteorhodopsin, whereas the agar plate isolate Polaribacter sp. strain Hel1_85 has a 3.9-Mbp genome with an even peptidase:CAZyme ratio, eight PULs, a mannitol dehydrogenase for decomposing algal mannitol-capped polysaccharides but no proteorhodopsin. Unlike other sequenced Polaribacter species, both isolates have larger sulfatase-rich PULs, supporting earlier assumptions that Polaribacter take part in the decomposition of sulfated polysaccharides. Both strains grow on algal laminarin and the sulfated polysaccharide chondroitin sulfate. For strain Hel1_33_49, we identified by proteomics (i) a laminarin-induced PUL, (ii) chondroitin sulfate-induced CAZymes and (iii) a chondroitin-induced operon that likely enables chondroitin sulfate recognition. These and other data suggest that strain Hel1_33_49 is a planktonic flavobacterium feeding on proteins and a small subset of algal polysaccharides, while the more versatile strain Hel1_85 can decompose a broader spectrum of polysaccharides and likely associates with algae.
Intestinal epithelial MyD88 is a sensor switching host metabolism towards obesity according to nutritional status
Authors: Everard Amandine , Geurts Lucie , Caesar Robert , Van Hul Matthias , Matamoros Sébastien , Duparc Thibaut , Denis Raphael G. P. , Cochez Perrine , Pierard Florian , Castel Julien , Bindels Laure B. , Plovier Hubert , Robine Sylvie , Muccioli Giulio G. , Renauld Jean-Christophe , Dumoutier Laure , Delzenne Nathalie M. , Luquet Serge , Bäckhed Fredrik , Cani Patrice D.
Published: December 2014

Obesity is associated with a cluster of metabolic disorders, low-grade inflammation and altered gut microbiota. Whether host metabolism is controlled by intestinal innate immune system and the gut microbiota is unknown. Here we report that inducible intestinal epithelial cell-specific deletion of MyD88 partially protects against diet-induced obesity, diabetes and inflammation. This is associated with increased energy expenditure, an improved glucose homeostasis, reduced hepatic steatosis, fat mass and inflammation. Protection is transferred following gut microbiota transplantation to germ-free recipients. We also demonstrate that intestinal epithelial MyD88 deletion increases anti-inflammatory endocannabinoids, restores antimicrobial peptides production and increases intestinal regulatory T cells during diet-induced obesity. Targeting MyD88 after the onset of obesity reduces fat mass and inflammation. Our work thus identifies intestinal epithelial MyD88 as a sensor changing host metabolism according to the nutritional status and we show that targeting intestinal epithelial MyD88 constitutes a putative therapeutic target for obesity and related disorders.
Anomalous critical fields in quantum critical superconductors
Authors: Putzke C. , Walmsley P. , Fletcher J. D. , Malone L. , Vignolles D. , Proust C. , Badoux S. , See P. , Beere H. E. , Ritchie D. A. , Kasahara S. , Mizukami Y. , Shibauchi T. , Matsuda Y. , Carrington A.
Published: December 2014

Fluctuations around an antiferromagnetic quantum critical point (QCP) are believed to lead to unconventional superconductivity and in some cases to high-temperature superconductivity. However, the exact mechanism by which this occurs remains poorly understood. The iron-pnictide superconductor BaFe2(As1−xPx)2 is perhaps the clearest example to date of a high-temperature quantum critical superconductor, and so it is a particularly suitable system to study how the quantum critical fluctuations affect the superconducting state. Here we show that the proximity of the QCP yields unexpected anomalies in the superconducting critical fields. We find that both the lower and upper critical fields do not follow the behaviour, predicted by conventional theory, resulting from the observed mass enhancement near the QCP. Our results imply that the energy of superconducting vortices is enhanced, possibly due to a microscopic mixing of antiferromagnetism and superconductivity, suggesting that a highly unusual vortex state is realized in quantum critical superconductors.
Inositol Polyphosphate-5-Phosphatase F (INPP5F) inhibits STAT3 activity and suppresses gliomas tumorigenicity
Authors: Kim Hong Sug , Li Aiguo , Ahn Susie , Song Hua , Zhang Wei
Published: December 2014

Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common type of primary malignant brain tumors harboring a subpopulation of stem-like cells (GSCs), is a fast-growing and often fatal tumor. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) is one of the major signaling pathways in GSCs maintenance but the molecular mechanisms underlying STAT3 deregulation in GSCs are poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that Inositol Polyphosphate-5-Phosphatase F (INPP5F), one of the polyphosphoinositide phosphatases, is differentially expressed in GSCs from glioma patients and is identified as an inhibitor of STAT3 signaling via interaction with STAT3 and inhibition of its phosphorylation. Constitutively expressed INPP5F showed to suppress self-renewal and proliferation potentials of glioblastoma cells and reduced tumorigenicity of glioblastoma. In addition, loss of INPP5F gene in gliomas is significantly correlated with lower overall patient survivals. These findings suggest that INPP5F is a potential tumor suppressor in gliomas via inhibition of STAT3 pathway and that deregulation of INPP5F may lead to contribution to gliomagenesis.
Systematic analysis of the in situ crosstalk of tyrosine modifications reveals no additional natural selection on multiply modified residues
Authors: Pan Zhicheng , Liu Zexian , Cheng Han , Wang Yongbo , Gao Tianshun , Ullah Shahid , Ren Jian , Xue Yu
Published: December 2014

Recent studies have indicated that different post-translational modifications (PTMs) synergistically orchestrate specific biological processes by crosstalks. However, the preference of the crosstalk among different PTMs and the evolutionary constraint on the PTM crosstalk need further dissections. In this study, the in situ crosstalk at the same positions among three tyrosine PTMs including sulfation, nitration and phosphorylation were systematically analyzed. The experimentally identified sulfation, nitration and phosphorylation sites were collected and integrated with reliable predictions to perform large-scale analyses of in situ crosstalks. From the results, we observed that the in situ crosstalk between sulfation and nitration is significantly under-represented, whereas both sulfation and nitration prefer to co-occupy with phosphorylation at same tyrosines. Further analyses suggested that sulfation and nitration preferentially co-occur with phosphorylation at specific positions in proteins and participate in distinct biological processes and functions. More interestingly, the long-term evolutionary analysis indicated that multi-PTM targeting tyrosines didn't show any higher conservation than singly modified ones. Also, the analysis of human genetic variations demonstrated that there is no additional functional constraint on inherited disease, cancer or rare mutations of multiply modified tyrosines. Taken together, our systematic analyses provided a better understanding of the in situ crosstalk among PTMs.
A sensitive and microscale method for drug screening combining affinity probes and single molecule fluorescence correlation spectroscopy
Authors: Ruan Lingao , Su Di , Shao Chang , Wang Jinjie , Dong Chaoqing , Huang Xiangyi , Ren Jicun
Published: December 2014

The theoretical model of drug screening method based on competitive reaction and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.
A versatile reversed phase-strong cation exchange-reversed phase (RP–SCX–RP) multidimensional liquid chromatography platform for qualitative and quantitative shotgun proteomics
Authors: Law Henry C. H. , Kong Ricky P. W. , Szeto Samuel S. W. , Zhao Yun , Zhang Zaijun , Wang Yuqiang , Li Guohui , Quan Quan , Lee Simon M. Y. , Lam Herman C. , Chu Ivan K.
Published: December 2014

We developed a novel online MDLC platform that integrates a dual-trap configuration and two separation technologies into a single automated commercial platform.
Inhomogenous doping induced the imperfect self-assembly of nanocrystals for the synthesis of porous AgPb10BiTe12 nanosheets and their thermoelectric transport properties
Authors: Wang Qun , Fang Yuanyuan , Yin Hang , Li Jianjun
Published: December 2014

For the first time, quaternary single-crystal-like porous AgPb10BiTe12 nanosheets in two solid forms (solid solution and a Bi-rich region coexist) were achieved. A significant enhancement of thermoelectric performance was realized through nanoscale grain boundaries and macroscale porous structures.
Catalytic synthesis of amides via aldoximes rearrangement
Authors: Crochet Pascale , Cadierno Victorio
Published: December 2014

This Feature article provides a comprehensive overview of the developments achieved in the catalytic synthesis of amides via rearrangement of aldoximes.
A sensitive electrochemical aptasensor based on the co-catalysis of hemin/G-quadruplex, platinum nanoparticles and flower-like MnO2 nanosphere functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Xu Wenju , Xue Shuyan , Yi Huayu , Jing Pei , Chai Yaqin , Yuan Ruo
Published: December 2014

A sensitive thrombin electrochemical aptasensor is developed based on the co-catalysis of hemin/G-quadruplex, platinum nanoparticles and flower-like MnO2 nanosphere functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
Towards bulk thermodynamics via non-equilibrium methods: gaseous methane as a case study
Authors: Zerbetto Mirco , Frezzato Diego
Published: December 2014

The equation of state of bulk materials is achieved via thermodynamic derivatives of the free energy yielded by nonequilibrium transformations and Jarzynski equality.
Morphological and structural evolution of WS2 nanosheets irradiated with an electron beam
Authors: Wang Yuqing , Feng Yi , Chen Yangming , Mo Fei , Qian Gang , Yu Dongbo , Wang Yang , Zhang Xuebin
Published: December 2014

Movement of atoms and the radiation damage mechanism in irradiated WS2 nanosheets.
Microsolvation of 2-azetidinone: a model for the peptide group–water interactions
Authors: López Juan C. , Sánchez Raquel , Blanco Susana , Alonso José L.
Published: December 2014

The geometries of the 2-azetidinone–(H2O)n clusters, determined by rotational spectroscopy, show the preference of water to interact with the CO group and the effects of cooperative hydrogen bonding.
Electronic structure aspects of the complete O2 transfer reaction between Ni(ii) and Mn(ii) complexes with cyclam ligands
Authors: Zapata-Rivera Jhon , Caballol Rosa , Calzado Carmen J.
Published: December 2014

Multiconfigurational CASSCF and DDCI calculations indicate that the reaction consists in the superoxide migration between Ni(ii) and Mn(ii) complexes.
Nanoscale metal fluorides: a new class of heterogeneous catalysts
Authors: Kemnitz Erhard
Published: December 2014

Nanoscale metal fluorides and hydroxide fluorides prepared according the fluorolytic sol–gel synthesis represent a powerful class of bi-acidic heterogeneous catalysts.
Syntheses, structures, and optical properties of Ba4Ga4SnSe12and Ba6Ga2SnSe11
Authors: Yin Wenlong , Lin Zuohong , Kang Lei , Kang Bin , Deng Jianguo , Lin Zheshuai , Yao Jiyong , Wu Yicheng
Published: December 2014

Two new quaternary selenides Ba4Ga4SnSe12and Ba6Ga2SnSe11, representing the first two members in the A/M/Sn/Q (A = alkaline-earth metal; M = Al, Ga, In; Q = S, Se, Te) system, have been synthesized.
Synthesis of few-layer MoS2 nanosheet-loaded Ag3PO4 for enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Song Yanhua , Lei Yucheng , Xu Hui , Wang Cheng , Yan Jia , Zhao Haozhu , Xu Yuanguo , Xia Jiexiang , Yin Sheng , Li Huaming
Published: December 2014

Novel few-layer MoS2/Ag3PO4 composites were fabricated. The physical and chemical properties of the few-layer MoS2/Ag3PO4 composite photocatalysts were tested in order to investigate the effects of few-layer MoS2 on the photocatalytic activity of Ag3PO4.
Synthesis, characterization and magnetism of metal–organic compounds: role of the positions of the coordinating groups of a meso-flexible ligand in placing anisotropy to exhibit spin-canting behaviour
Authors: Manna Paulami , Tripuramallu Bharat Kumar , Bommakanti Suresh , Das Samar K.
Published: December 2014

Magnetic anisotropy can be included in metal–organic coordination polymers by altering the position of the coordinating groups on the skeleton of the ligand.
Core–shell Cu@(CuCo-alloy)/Al2O3 catalysts for the synthesis of higher alcohols from syngas
Authors: Gao Wa , Zhao Yufei , Chen Haoran , Chen Hao , Li Yinwen , He Shan , Zhang Yingkui , Wei Min , Evans David G. , Duan Xue
Published: December 2014

Core–shell Cu@(CuCo-alloy)/Al2O3 catalysts are obtained via an in situ growth–calcination–reduction process, which exhibit excellent catalytic behavior toward CO hydrogenation to produce higher alcohols.
Simple metal salts supported on montmorillonite as recyclable catalysts for intramolecular hydroalkoxylation of double bonds in conventional and VOC-exempt solvents
Authors: Notar Francesco Irene , Cacciuttolo Bastien , Pucheault Mathieu , Antoniotti Sylvain
Published: December 2014

We describe herein an efficient and particularly sustainable catalytic system for the intramolecular hydroalkoxylation of double bonds.
Nanostructured microfluidic digestion system for rapid high-performance proteolysis
Authors: Cheng Gong , Hao Si-Jie , Yu Xu , Zheng Si-Yang
Published: December 2014

A novel microfluidic protein digestion system with a nanostructured and bioactive inner surface was constructed for rapid protein digestion.
Pyrrolidino [60] and [70]fullerene homo- and heterodimers as electron acceptors for OPV
Authors: Erten-Ela Sule , Villegas Carmen , Delgado Juan Luis , Martín Nazario
Published: December 2014

New homo- and heterodimers involving [60] and [70]fullerenes have been synthesized and used to prepare organic solar cells.
Generation, structure and reactivity of tertiary organolithium reagents
Authors: Perry Matthew A. , Rychnovsky Scott D.
Published: December 2014

Tertiary organolithium reagents have great potential in natural product synthesis. Recent progress in organolithium generation has made them accessible. Their utility and stereoselectivity in synthesis is discussed.
The side chain effect on difluoro-substituted dibenzo[a,c]phenazine based conjugated polymers as donor materials for high efficiency polymer solar cells
Authors: Li Guangwu , Lu Zhen , Li Cuihong , Bo Zhishan
Published: December 2014

Conjugated polymers with difluoro-substituted dibenzo[a,c]phenazine as the acceptor unit and benzodithiophene derivatives as the donor unit were prepared and used for polymer solar cells.
One-pot synthesis of indolizine functionalized nanohyperbranched polyesters with different nano morphologies and their fluorescent response to anthracene
Authors: Wang Xiaoxia , Zeng Fanyang , Jin Can , Jiang Yuliang , Han Qiaorong , Wang Bingxiang , Ma Zhenye
Published: December 2014

Two nanohyperbranched polyesters of HBPE–CIDA1 (nanospheres) and HBPE–CIDA4 (nanospindles) were synthesized. The HBPE–CIDA4 was established to be a fluorescent sensor for anthracene.
Syntheses, structures and gas sorption properties of two coordination polymers with a unique type of supramolecular isomerism
Authors: Qi Xiao-Lin , Ye Jia-Wen , Lin Rui-Biao , Liao Pei-Qin , Liu Si-Yang , He Chun-Ting , Zhang Jie-Peng , Chen Xiao-Ming
Published: December 2014

Two genuine supramolecular isomers with a unique type of structural difference and completely different porous properties have been synthesized and characterized.
Target-oriented design and biosynthesis of thiostrepton-derived thiopeptide antibiotics with improved pharmaceutical properties
Authors: Wang Shoufeng , Zheng Qingfei , Wang Jianfeng , Zhao Zhixiong , Li Qingye , Yu Yunsong , Wang Renxiao , Liu Wen
Published: December 2014

Two QA moiety-modified thiostrepton derivatives were obtained via a mutagenesis strategy based on a rational design.
The preparation of energy-absorbing material by using solid waste
Authors: Luo Xin , Xu Jin-yu , Li Weimin
Published: December 2014

In order to develop a new energy-absorbing material by using solid waste, a basalt fiber reinforced lightweight aggregate–geopolymer based cellular material (BFRLGCM) is prepared.
Nitrogen-modified activated carbon supported bimetallic gold–cesium(i) as highly active and stable catalyst for the hydrochlorination of acetylene
Authors: Zhao Jia , Zhang Tongtong , Di Xiaoxia , Xu Jiangtao , Xu Jinhui , Feng Feng , NI Jun , Li Xiaonian
Published: December 2014

In the challenging acetylene hydrochlorination to vinyl chloride over Au-based catalysts, Au–CsIcatalysts are substantially more active and stable than their monometallic counterparts.